Shaun Ribbons appointed Central District SANFLW coach for 2026

24 September 2025

By ALEXANDRA BULL

Inaugural Central District SANFLW coach Shaun Ribbons has been appointed as the Doggies’ SANFLW coach for the 2026 season.

In addition, current Adelaide Crows AFLW Development and Scrimmage Coach, Emma Sampson, has been added to the Central District coaching line-up as Coach Developer.

Ribbons was the coach of Central’s SANFLW team from 2019 to 2021, before stepping away at the end of the 2021 season to spend more time with his family and build his Remedial Massage business.

“I always thought at some point I would go back to coaching at a high level. The reason why I stopped was because my kids were at an age where I really wanted to spend time with them,” Ribbons said.

“When Central District contacted me, I thought I would go and have a listen.

“I really like the pitch and where they wanted to go, and it felt like I was someone that could deliver on what they wanted; I have always had that bug to go back to coaching at a high level.”

Ribbons has been working as a Coach Developer in the SANFL/Barossa, Light and Gawler Female Fast Track development program, has been the senior coach of the Nuriootpa Rovers women’s team from 2023 to 2025, along with coaching the Central Zone Women’s team at the 2022, ’23, ’24 and ’25 THINK! Road Safety SA Country Championships.

In terms of his coaching style, Ribbons said he aims to bring a “hard edge” to the Central District SANFLW team’s play in 2026.

“I definitely want to implement a fast and modern game style but build a team that is pretty hard to score against,” Ribbons said.

“A big focus in our first few years was building a brand that was really competitive and hard to play against – that is still a big focus for us.

“I am excited to implement a system that looks like a higher-level AFLW style with a lot of support around the goals.

“I am excited to learn a lot and teach a lot.”