Swans Secure Services of Ric Charlesworth

West Australian sporting legend Ric Charlesworth has agreed to assist Swan Districts Football Club in a football mentor role.  

“He’ll be working with our WAFL men’s coaches and players adding another important layer to our football strategic plan”, said General Manager of Football Phil Smart.

The club’s in the second year of its Football Strategic Plan 2020 - 2024 which aims to build an enduring and sustainable high performing football department.  

Charlesworth played first-class cricket for WA and international hockey for the Kookaburras, winning a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Charlesworth also served as a federal member of parliament for 10 years. After leaving politics, he was appointed coach of the Hockeyroos, leading them to Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2000, and later coached the Kookaburras from 2009 to 2014. Between 1994 and 2014 Charlesworth was Coach of the Year 8 times. He’s also worked in consulting roles with the New Zealand national cricket team, the Australian Institute of Sport, and the Fremantle Football Club. He’s the author of 5 books on coaching and team management and currently works as a part-time motivational speaker.

It was in his own sporting life that he learnt the difference between being tired, and exhausted. He learnt that if he could take anything from his own playing days, it would be that to be a good coach you must distinguish the difference between the two, and push people beyond what they thought was possible.

"In my 14 years of coaching National teams, both men and women, I have never met a player who knew how good they could be," said Charlesworth.

Charlesworth prided himself on preparation and being willing to try new ideas. Sometimes it is necessary to select based on attitude, rather than skill. A strong attitude ensures the individual has both the desire and ability to be pushed.