The AFL is pleased to advise the 2022 BHP Women’s Coaching Academy commenced this week on Monday October 25, with eight women who have been recognised as outstanding coaching talent selected to take part in the 12-month program.
The 2022 BHP Women’s Coaching Academy participants include:
- Lauren Arnell – Development Coach/Female Head Coach, Brisbane Lions Academy
- Elise Coventry – AFLW Development Coach, Geelong Cats
- Courtney Cramey – AFLW Assistant Coach, Adelaide Crows
- Jacara Egan – Assistant Coach U19 Men’s/Women’s, Calder Cannons
- Pia Faletti – Rogers Cup Head Coach/League Assistant Coach, Subiaco FC Women’s
- Daisy Pearce – AFLW Captain, Melbourne Football Club
- Katherine Smith – Head Coach – Premier Women’s Team, Macquarie University FC
- Emma Zielke – AFLW Assistant Coach, Brisbane Lions
The women involved will also receive mentoring support from inaugural St Kilda AFLW Coach Peta Searle across the 12-month program.
Now in its fourth year, the BHP Women’s Coaching Academy see each participant take part in a comprehensive 12-month program that sees them complete the National AFL Level 3 Coaching Accreditation Course.
The Academy also aims to support and develop the existing women’s coaching group, while identifying and accelerating the development of the next generation of talent.
AFL Coaching Development and Education Manager, Julia Lawrence congratulated the eight women selected for this year’s Academy.
“After three successful years of the BHP Women’s Coaching Academy where we have seen many women progress to more senior coaching positions, it is incredibly exciting to welcome a further eight talented and highly respected women to the 2022 program,” Ms Lawrence said.
“As more players come through the AFLW Competition and seek to transition to off-field, we expect to see more women taking on coaching roles across men’s and women’s programs, which is incredibly pleasing.
“This year alone, we have seen a record number of applications for women’s coaching, and we will continue to work towards ensuring that coaching is viewed as a legitimate pathway for everyone involved in the game.
“We remain absolutely committed to creating legitimate coaching pathways for women and through the Academy, we hope to see emerging talent develop their coaching and skillset to progress to coaching positions at the elite AFL and AFLW level.
“The AFL will continue to support initiatives that encourage and promote women to senior coaching positions, and we look forward to further supporting Clubs in achieving this vision.
“As such, we are pleased to also announce that BHP, together with the AFL, has funded a further seven places for women to take part in a national Level 3 AFL Coaching Accreditation Course.”
BHP Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Fiona Vines echoed Ms Lawrence’s congratulations for those selected in the BHP Women’s Football Academy and National Level Three Coaching Accreditation.
“Congratulations to the eight participants selected for the 2022 BHP Coaching Academy, and to the further seven women who were identified as exceptional coaching talent for the National Level 3 Coaching Accreditation,” Ms Vines said.
“Your desire to up skill and forge new paths for the women of the future will contribute greatly to gender diversity across all levels of Australian Football.
“We are proud to support you on this journey and look forward to seeing the impact of your achievements for many years to come.”
Coaches supported to take part in the 2022 National AFL Level 3 Coaching Accreditation Course:
- Jenna Allomes – Assistant Coach, WA State Academy
- Colleen Gwynne – Development Coach, Waratah Football Club/NT Thunder
- Rebecca Randazzo – Head Coach QAFLW, Coorparoo Australian Football Club
- Sally Riley – Assistant Coach, GWV Rebels
- Amanda Robertson – Head Coach (Colts), Claremont Football Club
- Brittany Tully – Head Coach, Ainslie Football Club
- Kate Tyndall – VFLW Coach, Darebin Falcons
Women’s Football pioneers Peta Searle and Bec Goddard will also participate in the national Level 3 Coaching Accreditation Course as Coach Developers and will mentor and support emerging coaches over the eight-month program.
Following a record number of applications for the National Level 3 course, the following 14 women were also offered a place in a state-based AFL Level 3 Coaching Accreditation course:
Coaches selected to take part in a 2022 state-based AFL Level 3 Coaching Accreditation Course:
- Katika Adams – Men’s Reserves Coach, Coffs Harbour Breakers Football Club
- Katie Dean – Senior Line Coach. Sydney University Australian Football Club
- Kaitlin Dobing – Senior Women’s Assistant Coach, Tuggeranong Valley Football Club
- Hayley Gregory – Assistant Coach, Hawthorn VFLW
- Bronwyn Gulden – Assistant Coach, QBE Sydney Swans Academy
- Kate Handley – Under 17’s Coach, Newcastle City Australian Football Club
- Emma Kent – Assistant Coach, Collingwood VFLW
- Nadene McBride – Women’s Senior Coach, Singleton Australian Football Club
- Beth McLaughlin – Development Squad Head Coach, Bond University
- Cherie O’Neil – VFLW Coach, Hawthorn VFLW
- Christina Polatajko – Assistant Coach, Hawthorn VFLW
- Allison Smith – Division Three Coach, Newtown Breakaways
- Kristie Whittard – Level Two Coach, Manly Bombers Junior Football Club
- Kristen Woods – Assistant Coach, Ainslie Football Club
The National and State-based Level 3 courses will be delivered as blended programs with online and face-to-face sessions from the end of October 2021 until mid-June 2022.
