VAFA introduces Female Coaching Academy

The VAFA Female Coaching Academy will launch in the 2022 season and has been introduced to increase professional development opportunities for female coaches.

The Academy will provide an opportunity to access ongoing accreditation, engage academy members with other like-minded coaches in a safe and welcoming forum and support the recruitment and retention of female coaches in the VAFA.

The Academy will be delivered by Lauren Morecroft and Natalie Wood, both experienced coaches with success at all levels of football including Community Football, VFLW and AFLW (read more on both Lauren and Natalie below).

The Academy will provide coaches with four face-to-face workshop sessions, delivered by Lauren and Natalie, covering a variety of current coaching topics including developing relationships, developing culture, developing game plans and tactics, coaching during game day and coaching at training (2 sessions pre-season and 2 sessions during the season). Additional opportunities include being able to observe other coaches in action and also have their own coaching observed by AFLW experienced coaches. Academy members will also have the opportunity to support the VAFA Female Representative team in 2022.

All coaches will be directly admitted into a Level 2 accreditation with the cost of that accreditation covered by the VAFA and AFL Victoria, academy members will also be able to access the Level 3 community coaching accreditation where the VAFA and AFL Victoria will subsidise a large amount of the accreditation cost.

The VAFA Female Coaching Academy will be open to female coaches who will be coaching a VAFA team in 2022 (male or female team) and currently have the minimum of a Level 1 coaching accreditation.

Coaches interested in being a part of the VAFA Female Coaching Academy are asked to submit their application through the attached application form by Thursday 9^th December. Academy positions are limited to 10 so please ensure that if you are interested you submit an application through the below form.

https://www.jotform.com/build/213128274313044

The Academy timelines and dates will be finalised in consultation with successful academy members and academy mentors.

If you have any questions about the VAFA Female Coaching Academy please get in touch with VAFA Club Development Manager, Sean Walker – [email protected]

Natalie Wood

• Current AFLW Assistant Coach (Western Bulldogs) and current AFL Vic Coach Developer.
• Previous roles include AFLW Assistant Coach & VFLW Head Coach (Geelong Cats). U18 National Academy Assistant Coach, U18 Vic Country Assistant Coach.
• Level 3 AFL Coach Accreditation, inaugural AFL Female Coaching Academy and She Can Coach program.
• AFL Coach Association USA Coaching Tour

Lauren Morecroft

• Drafted in the inaugural AFLW draft in 2017 to the Western Bulldogs.
• Eastern Ranges Football Club Season 2022 (Boys & Girls Programs – Midfield and Ball Movement)
• Carton Football Club Season 2021 (AFLW Senior Assistant Coach -Midfield, VFL men’s Development Coach -Midfield)
• North Melbourne Football Club Season’s 2019 & 2020 (AFLW Senior Assistant Coach – Midfield, VFL women’s Assistant Coach -Midfield)
• Essendon Football Club Season 2018 (VFL women’s playing Assistant Coach – Defence)
• AFLW National Academy 2018 – 2019 (Girls Program Coach and Mentor)
• Calder Cannons Talent Pathway 2015 (U15 & U16 boys’ and girls’ Coach)