2019 SANFL Women’s Coaching Academy

The 2019 SANFL Women’s Coaching Academy has launched with five new participants joining last year’s inaugural intake.

Coordinated by SANFL State Coaching Manager Dave Reynolds and SANFL Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill, the Academy is designed to develop and foster the next generation of female coaches.

Feeding in to the new AFLW Coaching Academy which includes former SANFLW coaches Narelle Smith and Krissie Steen, the Academy now includes a total of 13 budding mentors from a variety of SANFL clubs.

Retired South Australian cricket star Shelley Nitschke was guest speaker at the opening education session this week, delivering a speech focused on the importance of developing strong coach-player relationships.

Across next year, participants will not only gain their Level 2 Coaching qualification but also gain experience in key development areas.

This includes education sessions with mentors such as Nitschke and Crows AFLW coach Matthew Clarke, exposure to elite training training sessions with the Crows AFLW team and SA State Youth teams as well as forming an individual development plan for the next 12 months.

Participants will also have the chance to be involved at a men’s SANFL Senior training session during the season.

”The purpose of the program is to nurture the first wave of passionate female coaches through the coaching pathway,” Reynolds said.

”Ideally, we will have more female role models acting as head coaches at all levels of SANFL football whilst also providing the necessary support for them to succeed as they strive to reach elite level.”