Tara Murray
New Western Jets girls coach Hayley Gossow wants to have an impact on female football in Melbourne’s west.
Having started her senior coaching career at Bacchus Marsh and then having a number of roles in the west, it’s a place close to her heart.
Now having been appointed the Jets first full time women’s NAB League coach, Gossow is keen to continue helping the sport grow.
“It’s been pretty exciting,” she said this week.
“I’ve been an assistant coach for the girls and boys the last two years. I wasn’t sure what opportunities there would be with the chances.
“It’s really exciting to get the role.”
Gossow said she was keen to continue coaching in the female side of things, with her first foray into boys football at a high level with the Jets.
She had previously been involved in AFLW and Victorian Football League Women’s coaching roles and her long term goal is to be part of the AFLW.
Gossow, who is a PE teacher by trade, has been heavily involved with female football in Melbourne’s west.
“Bacchus Marsh was way back in 2016 and my first season coaching seniors,” she said. “I had coached juniors, school footy and Auskick before that.
“I then had a role at Collingwood as a development coach and then two years at Carlton as an assistant coach in the VFLW.
“All through those times I was coaching in other areas, Bacchus Marsh, the Western Region Football League interleague program.
“Then had a bit of a break with COVID and straight into the Western Jets.”
Gossow, who also coached at the Maribyrnong Sports Academy this year, the full time role with the Jets gave her the opportunity to help develop the talent in Melbourne’s west.
She said she wants to have a real impact in the area and this role gives her one of the greatest opportunities to do that.
“I’ve had roles the last five to eight years and tried to have an impact as much as I can,” she said.
“Now I’ve got an actual platform with the region team to make a real impact on female footy in the west.”
The Jets have been back at training for three weeks ahead of the 2023 season.
Gossow said it had been good so far.
“It’s great to see so many new faces who are bringing a lot of positivity,” she said.
“We’ll be a little bit different from last year.”
Gossow takes on a side that won the Jets’ first premiership earlier this year. She said while it does come with a bit of pressure, they were a different group.
“The nature of the competition is that it’s not the be all and end all,” she said.
“There’s the development of the individual players and those girls’ own football careers and journey.
“The message to the group is we’re not long a premiership team. We want to get as much out of this program individually and as a team.”
