Bond University attracts some of Australia's best coaches with life experience both inside and outside of sport. We sat down with two of them, Bec Stower and Andy Lovell, to discover what motivates them and how coaching is evolving.
Bond University’s Director of Sport Michael Collins says the coaches Bond selects to lead its elite teams have a people-first approach, a good understanding of what makes them tick, and an appreciation for the varied learning styles of their athletes.
“We want our coaches to help student athletes develop skills not just to win on the weekends but to grow into better athletes and players than when they arrived.”
Collins says Head Netball Coach Bec Stower and Bond University’s Head of Football Andy Lovell are perfect examples. "Both are highly empathetic but also very direct with information," Collins says. "These two character traits make Bec and Andy highly efficient and effective coaches, and gifted communicators."
For Bond University’s Head Netball Coach Bec Stower, coaching came naturally. For Bull Sharks Head of AFL Football Andy Lovell, it arrived unexpectedly. Stower grew up in Toowoomba where coaching was part of community life.
“Being from a smaller regional area, it was just something we all got into,” she says.
By age 15, she was coaching representative and state age teams. Though she represented Australia at U19 level, knee injuries cut her playing career short. Still, she stayed involved.
“When you love a sport and can't play anymore, you find other ways to be part of it,” Stower says.
Lovell’s path to coaching began during the final stages of his 164-game AFL career with the West Coast Eagles in 1998. That year was especially difficult—his team struggled, and he lost his father in a workplace accident. Burnt out after 11 years at the top level, he was unsure about continuing.
But his coach Mick Malthouse saw potential.
“He tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘We're probably not going to play you anymore, but we think you’ve got something to offer our younger players.’”
Lovell accepted a skills coaching role.
“I absolutely loved it. That’s how coaching found me.”
Both coaches agree coaching has evolved significantly.
“We come from a time when it was so different,” Stower says. “Some coaches aimed to break you—mentally and physically. That was their method.”
Now, communication is key.
“You can’t trick players,” Lovell says. “They know if you care. You’ve got to be open, honest, and clear from day one.”
Stower agrees. “Feedback is now central to the relationship,” she says. “Players want it and we’re better at giving it.”
The same goes for parents. Lovell notes growing expectations from families and the importance of clear, respectful communication.
“We may not always agree on where a child is at, but it’s vital those conversations happen in the room—not outside of it. Most angst stems from uncertainty.”
“Feedback is now central to the relationship.”
Interestingly, both coaches say the biggest opportunity for improvement lies not with players, but with coaching development itself.
Stower is concerned by the ease of modern accreditation.
“I had to do a six-month course and be assessed. People failed. Now you pay, turn up, and get a certificate. That’s led to poor fundamentals being taught.”
Lovell echoes this.
“Coach development, education, and quality control—those are the biggest challenges in sport today.”
Ultimately, both believe coaching is about serving the athlete.
“The only reason to coach is to help players get better,” Lovell says.
“We can lose sight of that if we let ego or ambition take over.”
Bec Stower and Andy Lovell shared their insights with Bond University Broadcast Manager Matt Webber on So, Your Kid Wants to Play Sport…— a Bond University podcast exploring youth athlete development.
Previous episodes have covered injury prevention, strength training, and nutrition.
Bond University head coaches at a glance
Rugby: Mick Heenan is a relative newcomer to Bond Sport but he arrives with an unmatched reputation having coached University of Queensland to 10 Queensland Premier Rugby grand final appearances in his 14 years before stepping into an assistant coaching role at the Queensland Reds in 2022.
Netball: Bec Stower played netball for Queensland before turning her attention to coaching. She led the Queensland 17U team to a drought-breaking National Championships gold medal in 2023 and the following year coached the Queensland 19U team to silver.
Swimming: Chris Mooney is one of the most respected elite swimming coaches in the business. He’s mentored several Olympians at Bond University, including rising star Flynn Southam, and coached one of Australia’s best ever swimmers Kaylee McKeown to three gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
AFL: Andy Lovell played 164 AFL games for Melbourne and West Coast. He’s also coached at West Coast, Geelong, St Kilda and the Gold Coast Suns.
Published on Wednesday, 4 June, 2025.
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