Female footy coaches set to soar with new rookie coaching program

By SANFL Media

Women’s coaching in South Australia is gaining strong momentum, with a new coaching program set to further grow a new generation of female coaches.

The Coach Your Way Rookie Program is a series of free workshops to be rolled out by SANFL throughout the State, exclusively for women and girls looking to take up coaching next year.

The initiative comes on the back of a significant rise in accredited female coaches in SA 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.”

The new Coach Your Way Rookie Program, to commence in the first week of August, will cover a range of topics including coaching philosophy, teaching skills, coaching the game and training activities in a two-hour workshop.

Attendees will also achieve Foundation Coaching Accreditation from SANFL, providing them with an opportunity to get involved in coaching immediately.

“We have developed the program with a focus on arming women and girls with the knowledge, tools and support to confidently step into coaching,” Reynolds said.

“It really is for anyone who has aspirations to get involved in coaching at all levels, whether it be as a head coach, co-coach, assistant coach, runner or just helping out a local team.”

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