Women in coaching on the rise

By Tom Wyman

Women’s coaching in South Australia is gaining strong momentum, with a significant rise in accredited female coaches in recent years.

Since 2021, the number of women coaching football teams in SA has more than doubled, with a record 262 women accredited by SANFL in 2023.

SANFL State Coaching Manager Dave Reynolds said so far this year, 250 women are accredited across the State, with that number expected to climb beyond last year’s number by the end of the year.

Reynolds also highlighted a 10 per cent increase in 18 to 24 year-olds who have taken up coaching this year.

“We’ve seen a 55 per cent increase in women coaching numbers since 2021 and we’re looking to continue to increase that number before the end of the year,”

“Several country women’s and girls’ leagues, as well as SANFL youth girls competitions, don’t start until the second half of the year so we are well on track to surpass last year’s female coaching numbers.

“We also have 15 all-female coaching accreditation workshops planned across the next three months which could drive our women coaching numbers past 300 which is really exciting for our game.”

Over the past month, the AFL’s Women’s Coaching Month has recognised the contribution of women and girls in coaching roles across the country, while encouraging more to take up coaching across all levels of football.

One local coach leading the way for women coaches is Hannah Dreckow.

A member of SANFL’s Community Female Coaching Academy and the national She Can Coach program, Dreckow has been involved in sports for as long as she can remember.

Having previously been involved with basketball and rowing teams, an inspiration for playing and coaching football was ignited by AFLW being televised.

After pulling on the boots for several clubs including Sturt Football Club in the SANFLW, Dreckow now coaches Sturt’s U15 girls development squad and the U17 girls at Hahndorf Football Club, giving her a great understanding of the importance of having women in coaching roles.

“If we don’t have women in coaching positions, it can be hard for young girls to see a pathway. But if you can see it, then you can become it,” she said.

“I love coaching and really enjoy it, particularly being able to build relationships and help young people become good people.”

Dreckow said learning from mentors such as Courtney Cramey through SANFL’s Community Female Coaching Academy had been beneficial to her coaching.

“CJ (Cramey) has been great, her advice and support has been incredibly valuable, she’s made me think differently about my coaching and challenged me in a good way,” Dreckow said.

“I’m grateful for the time she has taken to help develop the next generation of coaches as well as players.”

During August-September, SANFL’s coaching department will be presenting Coach Your Way women’s coaching workshops across the State for any women and girls looking to take up coaching next year. The workshop will cover a range of topics on the skills of coaching.

REGIONAL WORKSHOPS

Riverland

Thursday 1 August, 6:30pm, Berri Sports Stadium

Delivered by SANFL State Coaching Manager Dave Reynolds, Riverland local coach/2024 Female Coaching Academy member Megan Peterson and SANFL Game Development Co-ordinator Kayla Mudge

Limestone Coast

Sunday 4 August, 2pm, Penola FC

Delivered by SANFL State Coaching Manager Dave Reynolds and Limestone Coast local coach/2024 Female Coaching Academy member Fiona Young

Whyalla/Port Augusta

Wednesday 14 August, 6:30pm, North Whyalla FC

Delivered by SANFL State Coaching Manager Dave Reynolds and SANFL State Girls U16 Head Coach Bek McMahon

METRO WORKSHOPS

Thursday 8 August, 6:30pm, Adelaide Oval (SANFL U15/17 Girls Coaches only)

Delivered by SANFL State Coaching Manager Dave Reynolds and SANFL State Girls U16 Head Coach Bek McMahon

Thursday 19 September, 6pm, Adelaide Oval (Community Coaches)

Delivered by SANFL State Coaching Manager Dave Reynolds and SANFL Women’s State Coach/AFLW premiership coach Courtney Cramey