About Box & Bench

Box & Bench Development Co. was founded by Dr Rob Mason, an experienced coach developer, facilitator and researcher.

Across more than 250 AFL games both in the coaches’ box and on the interchange bench, Rob has seen firsthand how coaches make decisions under pressure, communicate in real time and shape the environments in which athletes perform.

That practical experience is matched by academic depth. Rob’s approach has also been shaped through a PhD focused on coach-athlete feedback, along with published research in coaching and coach development. It means the work is grounded not only in what happens at the coal-face of high-performance sport, but also in what the evidence tells us about learning, behaviour and development.

Box & Bench brings these two perspectives together. The aim is to help coaches and organisations turn sound ideas into better practice: developing more skilful coaches, more impactful learning environments and better experiences for athletes.