The AFL has launched the third annual ‘Women’s Coaching Month’, supported by BHP, to take place throughout July.

Women’s Coaching Month presents an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of current women and girls in coaching roles across the country and promote the pathway programs and initiatives to get more women coaching from grassroots through to the elite level.

The surge in popularity in women and girls football since the inception of the AFLW competition in 2017 has seen numbers of women coaching rise sharply too. In 2023 there are more than 2,000 women and girls registered as community football coaches nationally.

There is strong representation across state league and talent pathway programs, with a highlight being the rise in women coaches in the Coates Talent League, up from zero in 2022 to nine this year across the boys and girls programs. Even with this growth, recruiting more women into coaching roles at all levels is a priority for the game.

The BHP and AFL partnership focuses on developing girls and women who want to play, coach, umpire and administer our game, and encourages men and the broader community to be advocates and allies in this space. The partnership is a holistic one that focuses on promoting leadership, inclusion, equality and wellbeing, recognising that progression for women is what’s best for the community.

BHP has strong ties to coaching through the BHP Women’s Coaching Academy, which has seen 28 coaches graduate since 2018 and a further eight are currently involved as part of the 2023 program. BHP is also the proud presenting partner of the National She Can Coach program alongside the Women’s Coaching Month campaign.

Another key program to promote women's coaching is the Women's Coach Acceleration Program, with nine full-time coaching positions within AFLW programs co-funded by the AFL and clubs.

The BHP Community Coach of the Year Award recognises the outstanding performance and contribution community coaches make to progressing women’s football and shaping their local community. Nominations can be made here.

AFL General Manager Women’s Football, Nicole Livingstone, said that growing and supporting women in coaching is an imperative to ensure the future success of women and girls football.

“We have seen significant momentum generated in the women and girls coaching space in recent years with numbers growing and greater emphasis placed on attraction and retention, not just for women coaching women and girls but women coaching men and boys as well.

“There is a lot of work to be done to continue to build women and girls coaching in Australian football but the significant progress made and sharp focus we have in this space has given us a really strong foundation.

“The support provided by BHP has been instrumental in developing programs designed to support women and girls in coaching and we are seeing the benefits of the programs, including the BHP Women’s Coaching Academy, Women’s Coach Acceleration Program and National She Can Coach program.

“I look forward to seeing the women who are involved in coaching at all levels of the game share the spotlight over the course of July as we tell great stories of those who make such an important contribution through coaching, grow awareness of programs and hope to attract more women to coaching.”

Nominate a coach for the 2023 BHP Community Coach of the Year
The BHP Community Coach of the Year Award recognises the outstanding performance and contribution community coaches make to progressing women’s football and shaping their local community. Nominate here: https://www.womens.afl/bhp-community-coach-award

Nominate a coach who deserves to have their story shared
People involved in the game across the country are encouraged to highlight a female coach who has made a significant contribution to the game. Submissions can be made here with stories showcased on AFL State and Territory digital channels.

You can also nominate your favourite coach through AFLW social media throughout the month.

Women’s coaching webinar – July 18
Hear from community and state league coaches on their journey during a Women’s Coaching Month community webinar on Tuesday, July 18. Register for the webinar here: https://www.play.afl/coach/womens-coaching-month

WOMEN IN COACHING IN 2023 – ELITE, VFLW AND TALENT PATHWAYS

Women’s Coach Acceleration program

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

More information here

rebel VFLW

• Box Hill Hawks - Cherie O'Neill
• Collingwood - Chloe McMillan
• Darebin Falcons - Kate Tyndall
• Geelong Cats - Elise Coventry
• North Melbourne - Steph Binder
• Southern Saints - Michelle Densley

Coates Talent League

• Bendigo Pioneers - Whitney Kennedy
• Eastern Ranges (Boys) - Lauren Morecroft
• Geelong Falcons - Melissa Hickey
• GWV Rebels - Sally Riley
• Murray Bushrangers - Emma Mackie
• Northern Knights - Allana Dickie
• Sandringham Dragons - Martha Cantwell
• Tasmania Devils - Jodie Clifford
• Western Jets - Hayley Gossow 

National talent programs - U18 Girls National Championships

• Allies: Jodie Clifford
• Victoria Country: Mel Hickey
• Victoria Metro: Allana Dickie

National talent programs - U16 Girls National Championships

• Tasmania: Jodie Clifford
• Sydney Swans Academy: Bron Gulden
• South Australia: Bek McMahon
• Victoria Country: Emma Mackie
• Victoria Metro: Hayley Gossow
• Western Australia: Jenna Allomes

 BHP Women’s Coaching Academy

• Kirby Bentley – Essendon AFLW Assistant Coach
• Lexia Edwards – SANFLW Head Coach, Glenelg Football Club
• Tanya Hetherington – AFL National Talent Development Coach
• Leah Kasler – Adelaide Crows AFLW Development Coach
• Liz Quinn – Program Director and Head Coach of ADF Women’s Football; Culture and Leadership Coach at Richmond AFLW.
• Shae Sloane – Melbourne AFLW Development Coach
• Steph Walding – WAFLW Head Coach, East Fremantle Football Club.
• Lou Wotton – Hawthorn AFLW Assistant Coach

More information here
 
National She Can Coach Program presented by BHP