Female Coaches on the riseTuesday, March 24, 2015 - 4:20 PM

In 2014 Female Football in WA had an increase of 78.27% with a total of 33,571 participants making up 18.79% of Total Participation. To support this growth the WAFC developed strategies to engage more Female Coaches and last year the first Female Only Level 1 Coaching Course.

This Course was subsidised and delivered to players within the WAWFL and Youth Girls Competition resulting in 25 new Female Level 1 Coaches. This Strategy was to utilise the players as role models to give back to the game by coaching and supporting District staff through promotional clinics and carnivals which ultimately would assist the transition into community football.

Given the success and outcomes from the course last year the WAFC opened all Females interested in learning the skills of football and how to teach them in a Female only environment. This course was held on Sunday the 22^nd March and saw 34 new Female coaches of various ages and from various backgrounds; these were broken down into aspiring coaches from NAB AFL Auskick, Junior Girls, Kirby Bentley Cup, Youth Girls and WAWFL and Schools.

Michelle Cowan, Level 3 Coach shared her knowledge and journey when she presented at the course on Sunday and was excited to be in a room filled with passionate Female Coaches “In 2000 I completed my Level 1 Coaching accreditation and I was the only Female in the room, then again the only female when she attended her level 2, Level 3 coaching course 2015 I was one of 3 females, so it is exciting to see so many of you here today.” and Michelle looks forward to the day there is an even split of female and male coaches.

WAFC Female Football Coordinator Allana Dickie is very pleased with the outcomes over the last two years with close to 60 new Female Coaches. “The strategy to subsidise the course for the players has had incredible outcomes strengthening the partnership between the Junior Clubs with the Youth Girls and Senior Clubs which will support the transition and retention of these players.”

It was very positive to see a number of teachers and mum’s that attended the course, which we would like to continue to encourage and expand on in the future. “The benefits of hosting the course in a Female only environment allowed gave the women the confidence to attend with no previous experience as everyone was at the same level, majority of the coaches were from within Female Teams I’d like to see more Females coaching within the school and community but not just for Female Football Teams.” Allana Dickie stated.

If you are interested in coaching any of the various age groups; the four levels are as follows;

Auskick (PP – Year 2)
Junior (Year 3 – Year 6)
Youth (Year 7 – Year 12)
Senior (Reserves and League)

Please visit for up-coming courses: http://www.wafootball.com.au/development/coaches/upcoming-courses/level-1