Tara Murray
The successful coaching partnership of Ian Allan and Chris Grant will continue, with the two appointed co-coaches of Spotswood’s women’s football side.
Having coached the under-15 girls and then under-18 girls teams at the club the last five years, the two are keen to continue working with many of those girls in the senior program.
The two have taken teams to grand finals in four of those years, with the fifth season, the 2020 season, cancelled due to COVID-19.
Allan said they were keen to continue building on what they had been doing with the youth girls.
They take on a senior team that won the 2019 Western Region Football League women’s premiership under inaugural coach Theo Theodorou.
“Last year we had four or five girls go up into the women’s team, this year it’s close to 20 players coming up,” Allan said.
“We want to make that transition easier and continue building what is best for those girls. We want to make sure they feel wanted and comfortable with everything.
“There’s some good development ahead of the group.”
Allan said it was a unique situation having co-coaches was unique, but they worked really well together.
He said they were like yin and yang when it comes to coaching.
“We think we have done pretty well,” he said.
“The girls enjoy playing and we just love it and have the passion for it and seeing the girls improve.
“We’re so excited to go on for the next challenge.”
While Allan’s daughter is in the Spotswood women’s team, Grant has continued on at the club even though his daughter Isabella Grant is no longer there.
Isabella was drafted by the Western Bulldogs in 2019 under the father-daughter rule. Grant played 341 games for the Bulldogs and is currently the club’s football department director.
Allan said Grant wanted to continue to share his passion for football.
“It’s something you will not let go of,” he said. “What the girls bring and everyone takes it on board.
“Chris has a passion for girls’ footy. He has built strong relationships at the club and girls love having him around.
“It’s a bonus to have someone of that level.
“The girls are really excited Chris and myself are coming on board along with the guys who support us.”
Allan said they would look to start pre-season next year when they were allowed. He said despite the success of the girls and women’s sides at the club, their motto doesn’t chance.
“We’ve played in for grand finals in a row, but that wasn’t the aim.
“For us, it’s that every girl takes the opportunity to play a role in the team. They take it on themselves.”
