Pathways performance manager Andy Patmore has the job of identifying talent within the Bulldogs, working on their strengths and weaknesses and making sure the club transitions the kids from the junior rep programs to the elite.
Patmore was appointed the position at the end of the 2016 season and despite not being in charge of a team, the former Canterbury player had the luxury of working across the whole organisation to bring everything together.
With plenty of change in 2017, Patmore is looking forward to what lies ahead.
“We had a lot of systems put in place last year and good coaching processes. We have a change of venue for our junior rep teams. Recruitment in our junior rep programs has been outstanding. We have gone back to our juniors and watched a lot of footy in our own area and I’m looking forward to the new kids we are bringing into our programs,” said Patmore.
There is an emphasis on the local area and bringing these juniors though the club’s system to hopefully follow in the footsteps of current Bulldogs local junior, Marcelo Montoya.
“We have a system here that makes sure we continue to produce those kids consistently. We need to instil good coaching, skill processes and good attitude – all the areas that make a footballer. We have to make sure that we continue to do this to make sure the kids are ready for the next level and make sure they give themselves a chance,” added Patmore.
