Stafford named Big V women’s coach

The VAFA is pleased to announce Tom Stafford has been appointed Head Coach of the Big V representative women’s team ahead of our clash against AFL Goldfields in June.

Stafford is well-known for his success at VAFA women’s level since its inception three years ago, having coached Marcellin to the inaugural William Buck Premier flag in 2017 and into a successive grand final last year.

He was named the first-ever VAFA Women’s Coach of the Year in 2017. He is currently Head Coach of Whitefriars College First XVIII, where he teaches PE and Psychology, and an assistant for the Eastern Rangers U16’s.

Stafford will be assisted by a pair of VWFL champions, Tina Macumber and Anna McIlroy.

Macumber, who was an assistant for last year’s victorious Big V side in Adelaide, represented Victoria during her playing days and has host of accolades; including, Western Spurs Player of the Decade and 25 years, VWFL captain and is a member of the Victorian Players of the Decade team.

Similarly, McIlroy dominated at VWFL level as a six-time premiership player, three-time premiership captain, six-time Victorian representative, All-Australian player and VWFL Team of the Decade member. McIlroy has been named in the team of the last 25 years for both Spurs and Darebin Falcons.

The women’s side will face AFL Goldfields on June 8 at Elsternwick Park where they will be playing for a third consecutive representative victory.