NORTH Melbourne captain Emma Kearney will join the club's men's program as a player development manager and development coach in a full-time role.

Six-time AFLW All-Australian Kearney will move into the position later this month as a recipient of the AFL's Women's Coach Acceleration Program. The program has created six roles within various clubs to fast-track the development of women in coaching. Previous recipients include Alicia Eva (GWS), Emma Zielke (Brisbane), Daisy Pearce (Geelong) and Chloe McMillan (Collingwood). 

Recipients will be employed by their respective club for a minimum two-year period between now and 2025 and includes a formal mentorship with a senior men's AFL coach and a level three AFL coaching accreditation achieved at a minimum.

"The ability to work with some of the greatest coaches including Alastair Clarkson was a big reason why I wanted to take on the challenge," Kearney said. 

"For me, as an educator I really enjoy working with young people and helping them out. Sometimes people forget that footballers, particularly when they come into the system, are young people. I feel like I’m going to enjoy working with some young boys and helping them be as successful as they possibly can." 

Kearney, who is a qualified teacher and has worked at North Melbourne's community arm The Huddle as head of education for the last three years, will provide guidance and education to the club's first-to-third-year players in the AFL men's program. The role will see Kearney work closely with North Melbourne's head of development Gavin Brown. 

The AFL head of women's football, Nicole Livingstone, said the program will see more women in coaching ranks across the AFL and AFLW.

"The AFL designed and co-funded the program to create legitimate coaching pathways for women. It is a major step towards the AFL's Women's Football Vision 2021-2030, where we want to see 50 per cent of AFLW senior coaching positions held by women," Livingstone said.

"When North Melbourne presented their application, the panel were impressed with the club's long history of integration across the men's and women's programs. We were also impressed with the club's track record of integrating their men's players as coaches across their women's programs."

The AFL's general manager of competition management congratulated Kearney on her appointment.

"The Women's Coach Acceleration program will expedite the development of the industry's best women coaches and increase the number of women in coaching roles across men's and women's programs," Kane said.

"Emma is a champion of women's football and a leader on and off the field. Her leadership as captain and playing experience, along with her teaching background and role in The Huddle, will make her an outstanding coach.

"All the Women's Coach Acceleration Program recipients have already brought so much to our game. It will be great to see more of their talents brought to AFL programs."