RECENTLY retired Melbourne premiership captain Daisy Pearce has officially started her coaching career at Geelong after signing a four-year deal.

While the initial appointment was made through the AFL women's coach acceleration program, which runs for two years, Pearce will be involved in the club's men's program for a considerable length of time.

As a development coach, Pearce will be involved in match planning and committee, and be in the coaches' box on game day.

"Daisy Pearce is a significant name in football. She has been an incredible player, and a leader of the women's game since its inception," Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd said.  

"Beyond that, Daisy has incredible knowledge of the game itself and we think she has enormous potential to coach football at the highest level.

"It's a credit to the AFL for setting up the Women's Coach Acceleration Program to assist with providing more opportunities for women in our game, and we can't wait to see all that Daisy will achieve."

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Pearce made her commitment to the Cats while still a Melbourne-listed player, seeing out her final season at the Dees with a flag.

"I'm really grateful to Geelong for the opportunity and for the support I received from both Melbourne and Geelong throughout the process last year whilst I was still playing," Pearce said. 

"I'm excited to begin my coaching journey at GMHBA Stadium and to learn from Chris Scott and the Geelong coaching team, who I respect and admire."

Pearce will still hold a special comments role with Channel 7.

The acceleration program is co-funded by the AFL and the club involved, with soft-cap exemptions in place for the two-year program.

AFL women's coach acceleration program participants

Chelsea Randall (Adelaide)
Emma Zielke (Brisbane)
Chloe McMillan (Collingwood)
Natalie Wood (Essendon)
Daisy Pearce (Geelong)
Alicia Eva (GWS)
Bec Goddard (Hawthorn)
Emma Kearney (North Melbourne)
Erin Phillips (Port Adelaide)