At just 17 years old, Jay Pietzner has already made a lasting impact on the Moranbah sporting community. As a coach, umpire and player for the Moranbah Bulldogs AFL Club, he has embraced multiple roles, proving that age is no barrier to leadership and community spirit.

Jay’s coaching journey began in 2022 when he noticed a trend of older players stepping into leadership roles.

“Initially, there had been a bit of an unspoken trend with some of the boys in the years prior to me in the U14s age group taking on a coaching role for a year, so I decided in 2022, why not give this a go? I ended up developing a passion I didn’t know I had.”

That passion has driven Jay to become a key figure in the club, not only coaching but also umpiring and mentoring younger players. He finds the most joy in the relationships he builds.

“The most rewarding achievement I find is being able to make strong connections with those players coming through the ranks at the Bulldogs. Most of the time, you don’t see those interactions between the top ages and the bottom ages, and to just go around and be a friendly face that those younger players see and can have a chat to is something special.”

Beyond his work at the club, Jay believes in giving back to the community that has supported him and his family.

“I find it rewarding being able to give back to the club that has looked after myself and my family for many years and to influence others to come and try new things.”

His commitment to volunteering is deeply influenced by the mentors who have guided him along the way.

“You spend any time in a football club, there are always going to be leaders and people you aspire to be. People that come to mind are many of my former coaches such as Stephen Thompson, Lee Parker, Tim Davis and Ross Branch, to name a few. Working alongside other coaches and managers has given me firsthand experience on how to handle different situations, which I am grateful for.”

Despite juggling school, sport, and coaching, Jay takes a relaxed approach to his responsibilities.

“Surprisingly, I find it quite easy to balance it all. To be honest, I have a ‘take it as it comes’ approach to handling busy schedules. If I couldn’t handle it, I may not have been able to do what I love.”

Jay hopes his journey will inspire other young people to step up and get involved in their community. His advice to those unsure about volunteering is simple.

“Have a go and see how you feel. Being confident can be scary at times, but once you have a taste, it can be hard to give up if it is for you.”

Looking to the future, Jay has big aspirations beyond high school.

“The plan is to head to university, whether that is online or on campus, to do a dual degree in Sports Development and Business. If all works well, I can use this to start a coaching pathway as a career, which would be pretty sweet.”

When asked what he thinks is missing for young people in Moranbah, Jay points out a lack of recreational activities outside of sport.

“We have the pool, skate parks, and the many sporting clubs, although it seems young people tend to get bored. I would start something like an arcade or bowling alley type of centre where young people can go to and let loose.”

With his dedication to coaching, mentoring, and giving back, Jay Pietzner is not just shaping the future of local AFL—he’s inspiring the next generation of young leaders in Moranbah.