PATHWAYS for female coaches have been created, and now is the time for opportunity, according to GWS skipper Alicia Eva.
A noted coach in her own right, Eva joined Credit to the Girls host Lucy Watkin in a special pre-season episode to discuss the refreshed Giants squad, her own future and the future of the AFLW competition.
The AFL recently released its Women's Football Vision for the next 10 years, which included an aspirational target of 50 per cent female senior coaches at AFLW level. All 14 senior coaches are currently men, with Bec Goddard confirmed as Hawthorn's coach for 2023.
"We need to put it on the agenda. We're creating pathways for women in coaching, but where is the opportunity? That's been the frustration over the past few years, yes we're investing in pathways, but it actually takes leadership to create opportunities for women," Eva said.
"We already know there are some fantastic coaches out there already, who are women, who have been cutting their teeth at the craft for a number of years, and I'd love to see them get the opportunity. They're more than capable of taking on these roles.
"It's important that we verbalise and tell people what we're doing, it is leadership to say this is what we need. From that, comes action. I'd love to see AFL clubs take on more women in coaching roles, whether that's in AFLW or AFL systems.
"Without looking into it, you're missing out on some amazing coaches, and it'll only strengthen football clubs."
EPISODE GUIDE
0:40 – Returning to training at Melbourne Uni
3:30 – Refreshing the Giants squad
6:36 – The impact of GWS' senior recruits
10:37 – The stars of pre-season
14:32 – The impending AFLW entry of Sydney
16:02 – Coaching and the "university" of GWS
17:43 – The AFL's target of 50 per cent female coaches in the AFLW
19:15 – The "critical" nature of the next Collective Bargaining Agreement
20:52 – GWS' 2022 aspirations
