Chad Morrison - Co Founder & Head Coach

I have been in the professional sporting industry since 1995. My journey began as a professional footballer in the Australian Football League (AFL) with the West Coast Eagles (WCE) for 10 years and Collingwood for 2 years. During my time with WCE, in 1996 I received a rising star nomination and was also awarded third best and fairest in seasons 1997 and 2000. One of my greatest achievements was being selected to represent Victoria in the ‘State of Origin’ in 1999, at the age of 21.

After retiring from football due to injuries, I coached in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) for 3 years, with Swan Districts and East Fremantle Football clubs. In 2007 we won the Colts premiership in my first year of coaching Swan Districts. During my 3 years of coaching, I had the opportunity to develop future stars that are now playing in the AFL. Players include Nic Naitanui, Brad Sheppard, Lewis Jetta, Jamie Cripps (WCE), Michael Walters (Freo), Alex Rance (Richmond), Neville Jetta and Jeff Garlett (Carlton/Melbourne), David Swallow (Gold Coast), Sam Menegola (Geelong), Alex Fasolo (Collingwood/Carlton) and others that were drafted.

In 2008 I was proud to be one of only 12 coaches selected Australia wide to undertake the elite Level 3 AFL Senior Coaching accreditation.

In 2009, after completing Certificate IV in Personal Training, I decided to take a break from football and launch my own business, Chad Morrison Fitness. I completed a Diploma of Pilates in 2012 to further my expertise, which has since become a fundamental part of all my teachings.

Since January 2018, I have been consulting for the West Coast Eagles Football Club as a Talent Identification Head Recruiter and Assistant Craft Coach for the AFL Women’s academy leading into their inaugural inclusion in the 2020 AFLW season.

In 2019, I was given the great honour of receiving Life Membership from the West Coast Eagles which is my greatest achievement.

Football is my life and it ignites the passion in me. So being able to do something I love makes me feel very blessed and grateful.

Ryan Turnbull - Co Founder & Head Coach

From an early age I have had a love for Australian Rules Football…it’s in my DNA. Both my father and grandfather played at WAFL and State levels, but this meant nothing unless I worked hard and learnt the basics. This has become my coaching philosophy: ‘Learn the basics and do them well’.

I enjoy coaching both male and female footballers of all ages, developing their general skills and, as a former ruckman and key position player, developing the craft of ruck work and key positional play.

In recent years, woman’s football has started to become an area of real interest for me, especially now being involved at various levels. Seeing how enthusiastic young female footballers are in playing the game is exciting but they have to understand the fundamentals and basics of AFL not only to prevent injury, but to encourage their development and passion for Australian Rules Football. Hence the coming together with Chad Morrison and the formation of the West Australian Female Football Academy (WAFFA).

While studying for my Bachelor of Arts Degree as a teacher in 1989 I started my journey as a senior player and over a 15 year period I played a total of 313 games with the West Coast Eagles in the AFL, East Perth and Claremont in the WAFL, along with a number of State games for WA. Premierships with the Eagles in 1994, Claremont in 1989 and East Perth in 2001 & 2002 are among my career highlights.

I am also a life member of both the West Coast Eagles and East Perth Football Clubs.

During and after my playing career I have coached at various levels: conducting and coordinating football clinics all over WA; a playing assistant coach with East Perth; coaching with the WA state 18’s; coaching both boys and girls teams in junior football; worked as an assistant coach at Christ Church Grammar School and Scotch College in the PSA 1st XVIII competition. A highlight of which has been winning the 2021, 22 & 23 Alcock Cup’s with Scotch College; since January 2018 a member of the coaching staff at the West Coast Eagles initially with the AFLW and since 2021 the AFL team. I also work in the media as a commentator of WAFL & AFL football.