By Abby Collins
In the world of Australian Rules Football, Jamie Stanton stands out as a trailblazer, paving the way for women in coaching.
She is committed to empowering the next generation by ensuring the development pathway for women in footy extends from players to coaches and even volunteers.
Jamie Stanton’s journey starts as a player, after spending time with the Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne, she now calls the Gold Coast SUNS her family.
However, her impact extends far beyond the field, as she wears multiple hats, including that of a teacher and a coach.
Her two years as coach of the South Queensland women’s team has led her to her current position as Queensland’s Women’s coach.
Stanton’s foray into coaching was a natural progression from her teaching background.
With a degree in education, this inaugural Brisbane Lion possesses a unique ability to impart knowledge and foster understanding.
Her teaching skills have proven invaluable in her coaching endeavours, enabling her to break down complex concepts and ensure that her players truly grasp the nuances of the game.
“I am a teacher by trade,” Stanton said.
“I really enjoy learning myself but also helping young people learn, so that’s probably where my drive to coach came from.
“I started coaching kids, and then that sort of just progressed to adults, which is what I enjoy most.”
For Stanton, the true joy of coaching lies in witnessing those pivotal “aha” moments when understanding dawns upon her players.
Her love for coaching is in those light bulb moments, and the specialness they bring to the experience of teaching.
“I love the light bulb moments,” she said.
“You know, when someone’s doing a task or activity that they just don’t understand or can’t comprehend. You can just see on their face that they are utterly confused.
“You do the activity a few more times, teaching and talking them through it.
“They get that ‘ah-ha’ moment, and you can see it – they start to understand the drill or activity. They go, ‘ah yes, I can do that on my own now.’ It is that moment that makes it feel special.”
Stanton’s journey is not just about her personal achievements; it’s about paving the way for future generations of female coaches.
Confidence is key in many things and according to Jamie, one of those is coaching.
“The hardest part about being a coach is you’ve got to be really confident in who you are,” Stanton said.
“You don’t have to have been the best player, but you have to be confident in the person you are and know how you want your players to perceive you.
“As long as you’ve got that covered off well, you will be able to create a really solid environment because you won’t waver, or change based on external opinions.
“Then, you can build that really good base to allow the group to grow and flourish because you can create the stable foundation, they need to do this from.”
Stanton’s approach to coaching is rooted in her belief that a truly great coach is one who understands how to teach effectively.
She emphasises the importance of not just telling players what to do but explaining and guiding them through the learning process.
“I think a really good coach is someone who understands how to teach,” she said.
“A lot of coaches can tell you what to do, but it’s about breaking it down and helping players understand the ‘why’ behind the drills and tactics.”
Stanton will be in action as her Queensland women’s side takes on Tasmania at Bond University Oval on Saturday June 22, kicking off a bumper line up of representative football on the Gold Coast.
