Introducing U16s State Coaches

Baseball SA would like to introduce the community to our new U16s State Coaches for the Australian Youth Championships for 2024. This roster of coaching staff will bring a well-rounded background to the game with their wealth of experience.  

Andrew Couzner 

Our U16’s State Head Coach this season will be Andrew Couzner. Andrew, with his experience in charter and playing career, brings an insight into the game and has an established relationship with a lot of the community in this age group.  

“Couz” has seven years of coaching experience at Marlins State Charter level; Head Coach Little League Development, Head Coach & Asst Coach Little League, Pitching Coach & EO for Junior League National Silver Medallists. This experience has helped forge networks throughout the years with coaches, players, and other baseball community members. Over this period, he has seen the talent coming through in the U16s age bracket throughout the South Australian baseball competition.  

Holding the manager position will allow Andrew reign in the bullpen from the bench. The East Torrens, Super League, Next Gen Giant and previous U16s pitching coach will be an excellent mentor to the talent coming through. Andrew, being Driveline certified, also brings a great skill set to the pitching staff. Andrew has currently been working closely with the pitchers in the Elite and Performance Pathways. 

Andrew has represented the state at U16s and U18s, been in the Australian squad in U16s and U19s as well as played for the Adelaide Giants (Rookie of the Year) and The Australian team in 1997 giving him a great understanding of what it takes to perform at the highest levels in Australia. With his knowledge, he also brings a calming presence making him approachable to discuss the ins and outs of baseball.  

Marc Taintey 

We are excited to be getting Marc Taintey back on to the field in an Assistant Coaching role. Marc has an extensive history of playing high level baseball locally and internationally and we are excited to tap into his knowledge especially as a high experienced outfielder. 

Locally, Marc has played over 400+ Division 1 games in the South Australian Baseball League with his local club being West Torrens. He also played for the Adelaide Giants / Bite / Claxton Shield from 1996 to 2007.  

Overseas, “Taints” spent time at Southern California Community College (Mt. San Antonio College) 1998/99 and in the Japanese Industrial League in 2005. Marc also represented Australia in 2000 / 2001.  

Marc has a personal in-depth understanding of Pathways Programs from his time between SASI, ABL (Australian Baseball League) and College. His efforts as a development athlete earnt him the Max Puckett HP Athlete of Year 1995 – South Australia HP Programme, California CC Baseball – South Coast Conference Team of the Year / Mount San Antonio College MVP – 1999 and SA Bite MVP 1999/2000.  

We are looking forward to drawing on Marc’s baseball professionalism, intensity, and respect for the game to help bring the team to the next level.  

James Henty 

We would also like to welcome James Henty as an assistant coach for the U16s team. James has seen a lot of success in recent years as a senior coach for West Torrens and had an instrumental role with the progression of younger players through the club.  

James has been coaching since his U14s/U16s State Team Assistant Coaching gig in 2009-2011 and then went on to be head coach 2012-2015. In the State League, James, has coached and lead teams to finals for Woodville Division 2 (Head Coach 2010/11 - 2012/13), Woodville Division 1 (Head Coach - 2013/14 - 2015/16,) West Torrens Division 2 (Head Coach Division 2016/17 - Present) West Torrens Division 1 (Assistant Coach 2016/17 – Present). James provides his players with a great base skill set, and his coaching demonstrates the true fundamentals of baseball which is key for a state representative side like this.  

He also provides a relatable and knowledgeable view of the game from his time playing in U14s, U16s, U18s, ‘Schoolboys’, U23s teams as well as being an 8-time premiership player across Division 1 & 2 State League.  

We are keen to see what James can provide to this team after seeing the integral part he has played in player development for the teams he has coached in recent years, and we cannot wait to see where he will take our State players.