Women’s Coaching Month set to boom in June

Even with a record high five women holding AFLW senior coaching roles and more than 2,200 women coaching local footy across community leagues – up 13 per cent this season – the AFL must continue to grow this number to achieve its vision in the Women and Girls Action Plan, for women to make up 40 per cent of all accredited coaches by 2030.
 
Pleasingly there has been a significant increase in the number of young women taking up coaching positions, with a 20 per cent jump nationally in the 18-24 age group this year and a rise of more than 100 per cent in the under 18 girls’ space. 
 
AFL National Women and Girls Football Lead, Debbie Lee, said Women’s Coaching Month plays a vital role in shining a light on women in coaching.
 
“Since the inception of the AFLW competition in 2017 it has been incredible to see the amount of growth that has occurred in our game within the women and girls space, and this includes the number of women taking up coaching positions across all levels,” Lee said.
 
“While we have seen a boost in numbers year on year, we still have a lot of work to do to achieve our targets set out in the Women and Girls Action Plan and we need to keep creating pathways and promoting opportunities for women to connect with coaching. We know women bring a different lens to coaching which is only healthy for our game and we want women to bring themselves and be themselves.
 
“The theme of Women’s Coaching Month this year is ‘Accessibility for All’ because no matter whether you’re 20 years old and studying, a mum with two children or 60 and retired and want to try something new, there are opportunities at different levels to get involved and use transferable skills you already have to start a path in coaching. 
 
“I’d like to thank BHP who have been instrumental in helping us create and shape these opportunities and initiatives for women and girls, their support and continued investment in this space is invaluable.
 
“I’m looking forward to hearing all the stories and seeing all the activities roll out across June to celebrate Women’s Coaching Month, it’s a terrific time as we also start building momentum leading into the AFLW season.”
 

The partnership between BHP and the AFL focuses on developing women and girls 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. Holistic in its approach, the partnership aims to promote leadership, inclusion, equality and wellbeing – recognising that supporting women will benefit communities.