GIPPSLAND Power has appointed Adrian Hickmont to the fulltime role of under18 TAC Cup coach/development manager in 2007.
Hickmont played 183 AFL games with Geelong and Carlton (including the 1994 and 1995 Grand Finals with Geelong and 1999 Grand Final with Carlton) kicking 150 goals.
He was a Victorian representative player in 2000 and deputy vicecaptain of Carlton from 20022003.
Following his retirement from AFL in 2003, Hickmont coached Shepparton Football Club in the Goulburn Valley Football League for two seasons, before taking up a coaching position with the Rumbalara Football Club.
Hickmont said he was excited about the opportunity to coach in the TAC Cup at the elite junior level.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
He has been heavily involved with youngsters in his current job as a sport and personal development officer with the Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE), Shepparton, as a teacher for young indigenous students, in association with the Rumbalara Football Club.
ASHE uses participation in sport to undertake education and training within a trusted, culturally appropriate environment, particularly for indigenous students.
Hickmont was considered one of the AFL’s most hard working courageous players and will demand discipline, commitment and a hard work ethic.
Hickmont said the role was new to him.
“Initially I’ll be doing a lot of research watching tapes of games,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to the excitement of getting out there and working closely with the boys and helping them reach their goals and dreams.”
Hickmont will attend his first Power training session on Monday night at Morwell before starting fulltime with the Power in the middle of December.