Mel Martin
1989-1991. Played for the Waverley Sharks. Mostly as an offensive lineman or outside linebacker. 1991 co-captained the defense. 1990 won Offensive lineman of the year. 1991 won coaches award.
1991. As co-captain I also acted as defensive coordinator.
1992. Defensive coordinator for the Waverley Sharks.
1993-1995. Head Coach Waverley Sharks
1993-1994. Head Coach Victorian Eagles State team
1996-1998. Head Coach Berwick Miners
1999. Head Coach Victorian Volunteers State Team
2001-2002. Head Coach Northern Blackhawks. (Juniors).
2001. Special Teams Coordinator Australian Outback National Team
2001. Head Coach Western Crusaders.
2002-2003 Head Coach Northern Blackhawks. (Seniors).
Lack of numbers prevented fielding teams in competition
2003. Offensive Coordinator Australian Outback Junior National Team.
2007-2008. Offensive Coordinator Berwick Miners.
As well as off field roles as club secretary, league rep, GV commissioner, GA board member, Acting chairman GA, GA commissioner, founder VGCA, AGCA board member, AGCA treasurer, AGCA president, tournament director for various competitions.
Memorable moment:
In a gridiron career that is closing in on it’s 20th year needless to say I have many, many memorable moments. Some good, some bad. Each has taught me a lesson. Most involve a different group of players from each other. This makes them so diverse to make it near impossible to separate them.
Here goes:
Lining up as the first Australian team to officially carry the National coat of arms and be recognized officially as the national team was a thrill but the biggest thrill was to line up and face the “haka” then sing the national anthem and know it is being played for me! Couple that with one of my most challenging personal moments in that my wife had died less than a year earlier and as the anthem was played I looked to the stands which were full wishing she was there, it was surreal!
Obviously winning the championship. Is a close second. Unfortunately it was against the Miners, but I had already agreed in principle to coach the Miners the next year. You as players have no idea how much work goes into coaching properly at this level. To have the ultimate success validates all that hard work. Very satisfying.
Taking the state senior team to its only national title in 1999 although it wasn’t called that at the time. We had to play NSW then QLD to win. Again challenging but satisfying considering the circumstances in which it was played.
There are so many big and small moments I am troubled to separate them, but one of the most recent was the looks on you guys faces after you finished your first practice at camp. You were exhausted but you wanted more…that proved to me “YOU ARE MINERS”.
Receivers Coach – Dale Warren
Defensive Co-ordinator – Peter Frerker
Defensive Coach – Deon Fourie
