Former Northampton coach Beau Walker takes over Midwest Football Development Program

Former Northampton coach Beau Walker will be working with the next crop of young footballing talent in the region after being announced as the new head coach of the Midwest Football Development Program. Walker, who coached Northampton to a preliminary final in 2021, is taking over the reins from close friend and Geelong legend Harry Taylor. Taylor played an influential role as an administrator, youth coach and player on the return to his hometown last year, but in October accepted an offer to return to the Cats in 2022. Walker has big shoes to fill at the Mid West Academy, but said he would be bouncing ideas off his former Northampton teammate. Walker praised Taylor for his impact on the local game. “He’s done a lot, he got the ball moving with the program,” Walker said. “That will not only show in the immediate but for years to come. “He brought really high standards.” As the lead coach of the development program, Walker will work with East Fremantle Football Club to get the most out of the region’s most talented youngsters so they have a clear talent pathway to WAFL and AFL level. The under-16s program focuses on skill development, decision making, strength and conditioning. Walker said he was incredibly excited to take on the new role. “We’ve got a really good bunch of young fellas that are enthusiastic and keen to learn,” he said. “We’ve got a really good chance to see these guys develop and improve and prepare for when they go down to Perth. “Getting the conditioning base and continuing to work on their skill level to improve all facets of their game so they are more complete players when they go down there.” A teacher by trade, Walker moved to WA in 2020 after beginning his coaching career at the Belconnen Magpies in the ACT. Originally from NSW, he played for the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup before moving to Canberra to play for NEAFL side Queanbeyan. Walker he said he took an honest and open approach to coaching. “I’m pretty big on creating a positive and inclusive environment — trying to build relationships with the kids,” he said. “I’m a teacher, so that side of it seems to come a bit easy to me. “I want to drive the standards together.” Growing up in a remote country area like the Mid West can bring its fair share of challenges in terms of forging a professional sporting career, according to Walker. “Being in a regional area, having access to quality training and resources can be a challenge,” he said. “Also, the travel. Some will find it difficult. But East Fremantle are very supportive to give these kids as many opportunities as we can. “Through their teens years they go through a lot of development. Some mature quicker than others. “If you can instill the knowledge in them early on and strong training methods, even things like recovery, they can take that through them with their footballing journey.”