Female Coach Steps Into The UnknownMonday, July 7, 2025 - 3:34 PM

South Perth Junior Football Club coach Lauren McDonald admits it was “pretty intimidating” coaching a boys’ team for the first time.

Now in her second season in charge of South Perth’s Year 4 boys’ team, McDonald feels much more comfortable and wants to inspire other women to follow suit.

McDonald is one of the feel-good stories of Women in Coaching Month, which shines a light on the pathway programs and initiatives aimed at encouraging more women and girls to take up coaching.

She was full of praise for South Perth Junior Football Club and their encouragement for what’s become a strong female presence at the club.

“I'm not going to lie, it was pretty intimidating steeping into coaching boys in football,” McDonald explained.

“I had coached basketball, but football has been such a male-dominated sport for so long I felt a huge responsibility to prove to the players and especially the parents that I can lead their boys well.

“Coming into my second year I feel much more comfortable, and I hope that it's an example to other women that we don't just have to sip coffee on the sidelines or be pigeon-holed into being a first aider or team manager.

“Like me, there a lot of women who love their football and have the capacity to coach boys, not just girls.

“I hope to see more women being encouraged into these higher-level positions and South Perth Junior Football Club really does have a strong female presence and respect for women in football.”

The mother-of-three said Women in Coaching Month was a fantastic way of highlighting inspiring women coaching at various levels and the encouraging growth across the board.

“With the growth of female football, seeing more women stepping into coaching is super encouraging,” McDonald said.

“Having a month to highlight what women are doing in football is a great opportunity to showcase the passion that so many women have for their beloved Aussie Rules.

“For those of us who missed out on growing up playing football because it wasn't available to females, I love that I now get the chance to be a part of the change for the better.

“I love setting up this current generation for a legacy for women to have the same opportunities that the men have.”

McDonald said she had been blown away by the community support during her coaching journey.

“I think for me the best and most inspiring part of women coaching in different levels is that we feel confident enough to actually step up and take the role on,” she said.

“The support from the community is probably my favourite part.

“Any time I tell people that I coach football they have so many positive responses, and when they find out I coach boys and not girls, it's even more positive.

“Changing stereotypes, breaking barriers is not something I saw myself ever doing, but it just drives me to want to break through higher ceilings.”

As for the future, McDonald wants to keep learning and has the goal of being part of a coaching setup at a professional club.

“My goal is to continue educating myself through upskilling and latching on to any available resources I can,” McDonald said.

“The sessions WA Football run are fantastic and when I can I get along to those.

“I am always looking out for new resources and networking with other coaches and clubs to open the doors to the next step. 

“My goal would be one day to be part of a professional club within the coaching group in some format.

“The greatest goal would be that this is within men's football which is a whole area that I don't believe has many females in at this stage.

“I have three sons which is why I am coaching boys, but I also connect better with men and feel that this would be the better route for me.

“We have many men coaching in female footy; I am hopeful that I can be part of seeing the shift for females to participate in men’s leagues.

“It's a big goal, but I am all about kicking goals, on and off the field.”

WA Football’s Female & Diversity Coaching Coordinator Beatrice Devlyn said Women in Coaching Month was a fantastic way to celebrate female coaches across all levels of football, with this year’s theme ‘Champions of Change’.

“BHP’s Women in Coaching Month is now in its fifth year, and we are proud to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of women who are taking on coaching roles at all levels, from grassroots to elite programs,” she said.

“This year’s theme ‘Champions of Change’ reflects our commitment to empowering these remarkable individuals as they lead and advocate for change in the coaching landscape.

“Together, we are shaping a brighter future for women in coaching and acknowledging the vital impact they have on the community.”

To celebrate Women in Coaching Month, WA Football is hosting a special event at Carnaby’s Café in East Fremantle on Sunday 27 July from 11am-1pm.

RSVP for the event here