Pearce and Egan headline Victorians selected for BHP Women’s Coaching Academy
Melbourne Captain, Daisy Pearce, and Calder Cannons Assistant Coach, Jacara Egan headline a list of prominent names who have been selected for the 2022 BHP Women’s Coaching Academy.
The 12-month program began this week, with the eight participants to complete their national AFL level three coaching accreditation course, as well as receive mentoring support from former St Kilda coach Peta Searle.
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
Daisy Pearce is one of several AFLW players enlisted in the program
Off the back of Women’s Coaching Month in July and in tandem with the new AFL Victoria female ‘Player to Coach’ program, the BHP Coaching academy—now in its fourth year—represents a growing list of emerging programs available to provide opportunities to female coaches.
AFL Coaching Development and Education Manager, Julia Lawrence congratulated the eight women selected for this year’s Academy.
“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.
"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."
2022 National AFL Level 3 Coaching Accreditation Course:
- Jenna Allomes – Assistant coach, WA state academy
- Colleen Gwynne – Development coach, Waratah FC/NT Thunder
- Rebecca Randazzo – Head coach QAFLW, Coorparoo AFC
- Sally Riley – Assistant coach, GWV Rebels
- Amanda Robertson – Head coach (Colts), Claremont FC
- Brittany Tully – Head coach, Ainslie FC
- Kate Tyndall – VFLW coach, Darebin Falcons
The group of additional applicants features GWV Rebels assistant coach, Sally Riley, and Darebin Falcons Head Coach, Kate Tyndall.
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:
2022 State-based AFL Level 3 Coaching Accreditation Course:
- Katika Adams – Men’s reserves coach, Coffs Harbour Breakers FC
- Katie Dean – Senior line coach, Sydney University AFC
- Kaitlin Dobing – Senior women’s assistant coach, Tuggeranong Valley FC
- Hayley Gregory – Assistant coach, Hawthorn VFLW
- Bronwyn Gulden – Assistant coach, QBE Sydney Academy
- Kate Handley – Under-17s coach, Newcastle City AFC
- Emma Kent – Assistant coach, Collingwood VFLW
- Nadene McBride – Women’s senior coach, Singleton AFC
- 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 JFC
- Kristen Woods – Assistant coach, Ainslie FC
For further information about women’s coaching pathways, please visit coach.afl.
