The AFL has launched the third annual ‘Women’s Coaching Month’ to celebrate and promote women and girls in coaching roles.
The month will take place throughout July and presents an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of women and girls in coaching roles across the country, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay.
It will also promote pathway programs and initiatives to get more women coaching from grassroots through to the elite level.
AFL general manager women’s football Nicole Livingstone said growing and supporting women in coaching is an imperative to ensure the future success of women and girls football.
“We have seen significant momentum generated in the women and girls coaching space in recent years,” Ms Livingstone said.
“With numbers growing and greater emphasis placed on attraction and retention, not just for women coaching women and girls but women coaching men and boys as well.
“There is a lot of work to be done to continue to build women and girls coaching in Australian football but the significant progress made and sharp focus we have in this space has given us a really strong foundation.”
Since the inception of the AFLW competition in 2017 there has been a surge in popularity in women and girls football, with the numbers of women coaching also rising sharply.
In 2023 there are more than 2000 women and girls registered as community football coaches across Australia.
Another highlight is the rise in women coaches in the Coates Talent League, which is at nine this year across the boys and girls programs, up from zero in 2022.
Key programs to promote women’s coaching include; Women’s Coaching Academy and Women’s Coach Acceleration Program.
The nominations for community coach of the year award are open and recognise the outstanding performance and contribution community coaches make to progressing women’s football and shaping their local community.
Details: www.womens.afl/bhp-community-coach-award
