2025 SA Power Networks Community Female Coaching Academy

Friday February 14

The SA Power Networks Community Female Coaching Academy has returned for 2025, providing development and networking opportunities for women and girls in coaching.

After its successful introduction to South Australian football’s grassroots last year, the concept strengthens the pathway the growing number of females gaining coaching accreditation.

In 2024, there were 311 women coaching across the State – a 25 per cent increase on 2023.

Eight female community coaches from across the State have been selected to participate in this year’s Academy, launched at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night and running to the end of October this year.

The Academy has also been bolstered in 2025 with the support of SA Power Networks, now naming rights partner to the program.

SA Power Networks is a Premier Partner of the Hostplus SANFL Women’s League, also presenting the annual SANFLW Leadership Award to a player who has demonstrated outstanding off-field leadership qualities.

SANFLW State Coach Courtney Cramey is again providing one-on-one mentoring to the coaches, who will be tasked with completing the AFL’s new Elevate Course which replaces the previously branded Level 2 Coaching Accreditation.

With guidance from Crows AFLW assistant mentor Cramey, the coaches will also construct a personal coaching development plan for 2025 while connecting with each other via a support network to share ideas, activities, questions, and challenges throughout the season.

All inductees will also have the opportunity to learn from behind-the-scenes AFLW game day experience with the Adelaide Football Club.

“It’s really important that developing female coaches are being mentored by other women as coaching role models,” SANFL State Coaching Manager Dave Reynolds said.

”Courtney is extremely passionate about developing female coaches and has great experience mentoring female coaches through the Crows’ academies whilst adding to her portfolio last year as the SANFLW’s inaugural State Coach.”

Reynolds said the eight successful applicants for the Academy were selected on a range of criteria, including previous coaching experience and a desire to develop their coaching careers.

Ranging from under-14 to senior coaching level, the female coaches will also benefit from two in-season Academy education sessions.

Reynolds said the program was set to expand to more regional areas over the next 12 months, in addition to the Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association Academy launched in 2024.