Our Coaches

Richard Kerbatieh

Bringing almost 25 years of experience to the table, Richard joined the Shaheens in August 2013, feeding his love and excitement for helping out the multicultural community and the passion for teaching children AFL “the game of ours” and the lifelong skills of leadership and hard work. Richard’s new job with Pakistan Shaheens perfectly matches with his hobby of staying in shape. He is a proud father of 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Richard coaches at all levels which include Auskick juniors & seniors and footy teams. He was named the AFL Victoria Northwest AFCA coach of the year in 2008 and also coached Unity Cup Premiership 5 times for 5 tittles.

HEAD COACH

Wassim Rafihi

Wassim has passionately followed footy since his childhood. His love for the sport is not just limited to watching the games. In fact, he played junior level football when he was 14. Was the school full back for all year levels while in year 7. One footballer of the year award at high school. He has also won 2 Premierships, one as a player and other as an assistant coach. He wants to promote the game of footy to all the communities residing in Australia and has been actively involved in pursuing this goal since last 6 years. He is also an AFL multicultural community ambassador and passionate Carlton Football Club supporter.

ASSISTANT COACH

Andrew Clarke

A marketing communications specialist and journalist with a deep passion for Australian Rules Football, Andrew Clarke has been an integral part of Pakistan Shaheens since the club’s inception in August 2013. He is the co-author of books with Matthew Lloyd, Mark Skaife and Lydia Lassila (Straight Shooter). He is also an accredited AFL Coach and coaches junior footballers at the Caulfield Bears. Andrew is also a board member of Women In Sport Enterprise. He funded his way through university as an umpire with the VAFA and school football, and then took up a cadetship with Footy Week. Since then he has worked for law firms in marketing while writing sports stories for various publications.

ASSISTANT COACH

James Sutherland

Semi retired Primary School Principal/Football Tragic. Will watch any game of football anywhere, anytime. Loves football, cricket, antiques, bird watching, sitting at the G old cars, Richmond Tigers and family. Lives in North East Victoria & knows Hume Freeway well! Represented Victoria as a junior/ two pre seasons at Hawthorn FC. 33 seasons playing including 400 senior country games (9 clubs), coached for 15 seasons. 18 Grand Finals /10 wins and 8 losses. Working with volunteer organization Footys4All as a Promotions Officer. Moved from coaching bush football last year to helping the Shaheens in 2014. Has embraced multicultural and grass roots football. Excited seeing the Shaheen players improving their skills and their unbridled passion for the game. After 50 years in the game I am still in love with it! I hope my contribution to football has helped.

ASSISTANT COACH