Tara Murray
New Williamstown women’s coach Liam Cavanagh is excited about the direction the Victorian Football League club is heading.
Cavanagh was late last month appointed the Seagulls new coach, replacing Penny Cula-Reid, who stood down after the 2022 season.
Cavanagh joins the club having been Coburg’s inaugural women’s coach, taking them to an Outer Eastern Women’s grand final this year.
The new coach said he was ready to get down to work.
“I’m really grateful to be backed in by the club,” he said. “They went through a pretty rigorous process.
“I got a lot of insight into the club through the interview process as well. About where the club is hoping to go and the whole direction of the club.”
Cavanagh said the opportunity to be involved at VFLW level was something that attracted him to the role.
He said he felt that he had done everything he could at Coburg.
“We’ve really set up that program and I’m no longer required as it’s pretty sufficient,” he said.
“It’s in a better place than when I started. I could have been selfish and really sad, but the sweet part is that the program will go well no matter who is at the helm.”
Cavanagh said the idea of being involved in a standalone attracted him to the role, as it gives the local players the opportunity to shine and be in the forefront of what they are doing.
He said there was a lot of talent in the area that they could tap into.
“We have a trial night with 70 coming to trial which is really awesome,” he said.
“There’s not heaps of [VFL] clubs in the area compared to the east. There’s Essendon, Footscray and Williamstown.
“There’s such a deep talent pool. Hopefully we’ll find some diamonds in the rough.”
Cavanagh said he didn’t think they needed to add much to the squad from this season as it attempts to rise back up the ladder.
The Seagulls won just two games this year. Danica Pederson is one player who returns after playing at Collingwood this year.
“We don’t want much talent wise,” Cavanagh said. “I’ve been really impressed with the playing group, there’s so much potential there.
“We’ll look to get a few new players to come in and strengthen our list, but I’m keen to get the best out of ourselves.”
Cavanagh said they would look to set what they stand for and what they want to achieve in the pre-season.
He’s calling for the community and supporters to get behind them.
“It’s a new chapter,” he said. “We want to bring along as many people as we can.”
