Heatley claimed the honour at the 2012 AFCA Coach of the Year Awards Night held at Rydges Hotel – Bell City on Wednesday night.
More than 250 people were in attendance as Heatley took out the award ahead of Brett Wilson (Mernda), Brett Weatherald (Eltham), Dean Haydock (Panton Hill) and Leigh Gray (North Heidelberg).
Heatley has been exceptional in his first season at Bill Lawry Oval. After a slow start, the Cougars have become one of the form sides of the competition – winning eight of their past nine matches.
They finished the home and away season in fourth place and advanced to this weekend’s first semi final after a comfortable 28-point victory over West Preston-Lakeside in the elimination final at Preston City Oval.
Heatley’s teaching skills and ability to instil great professionalism and belief into his team were key attributes to him winning the award.
He thanked his players, coaching staff and club hierarchy in his acceptance speech and said he was looking forward to a long and successful stay with the Northcote Park Football Club.
Prior to joining the Cougars, Heatley’s coaching career involved stints at Subiaco in the WAFL, Tassie Devils, Warrnambool (Hampden League) and Wantirna South (Eastern FL).
Lalor stalwart Peter Smythe won the Contribution to Football (Male) award, while Sue Clarke took out the inaugural Contribution to Football (Female) award.
Smythe has been involved with the Lalor Football Club for 36 years and is a life member of both the Northern Football League and former Diamond Valley Football League. The scoreboard at Lalor’s home ground at Sydney Crescent is named in his honour.
Clarke has been involved with Montmorency Junior Football Club for eight years, of which she has been secretary for the past four years. In that time Montmorency has expanded to become the second largest junior club in the NFL.
She has been a driving force behind the club fielding a Youth Girls team for the first time this season and facilitated the appointment of a club welfare officer.
Millie Anag took out the Female Coach of the Year award after she guided the Northcote under-11s to premiership in her first season as coach. Her focus in participation rather than just winning games has drawn great praise, as has her positive attitude regardless of the final result.
Special guests on the night included Carlton assistant coaches Gavin Brown, Paul Williams and John Barker, Collingwood youngsters Jarrod Witts and Peter Yagmoor and Port Melbourne assistant coach Peta Searle.
Below are all the nominees for each award category. The winners are in bold.
SENIOR
Jason Heatley (Northcote Park FC), Brett Weatherald (Eltham FC), Brett Wilson (Mernda FC), Leigh Gray (North Heidelberg FC), Dean Haydock (Panton Hill FC)
FEMALE
Millie Anag (Northcote JFC), Mel Murray (Watsonia South Auskick), Belinda Mertzanidis (Greensborough Auskick District)
YOUTH
Tony Norris (St Mary’s JFC), Stephen Petruccelle (Epping JFC), Mark Spinoso (St Damians JFC), Henry Tyler (St Damians JFC), Berni Girolami (St Marys JFC), Paul Reid (Eltham JFC)
JUNIOR
Craig Peacock (St Marys JFC), Rob Bolzon (St Marys JFC), Trevor Lambert (Laurimar JFC), Trevor Ludeman (Brunswick JFC),Glenn Reeves (Montmorency JFC)
AUSKICK
Ross Nihill (Hurstbridge Auskick), Billy Mauldon (Diamond Creek Auskick), Justin O’Hara (Diamond Creek Auskick), Darren Rigg (Montmorency Auskick), Tino Raineri (Mill Park Auskick), Graham Bowen (Glen Katherine Auskick), Adrian Stapleton (Banyule Auskick), Nick Vangeli (Apollo Parkways Auskick), Jamie Thomas (Apollo Parkways Auskick), Trevor Searle (Watsonia South Auskick)
AUSKICK CO-ORDINATOR OF THE YEAR
Katrina Pavitt (Diamond Creek Auskick)
CONTRIBUTION TO FOOTBALL – FEMALE
Sue Clarke (Montmorency JFC), Heather Step (Heidelberg JFC and Auskick), Lisa Kankaanpaa (Yarrambat JFC), Helen Smith (Eltham JFC)
CONTRIBUTION TO FOOTBALL – MALE
Peter Smythe (Lalor FC), Mark Plowright (Thomastown FC), Brad Ferguson, (Whittlesea JFC), Peter Gray (Montmorency JFC)
