VAFA celebrating Women’s Coaching Month

This June, the VAFA along with AFL Victoria would like to celebrate Women’s Coaching Month. The celebration of Women’s Coaching Month was established through the partnership of AFL & BHP in 2020.

As we celebrate Women’s Coaching Month, it is significant to recognise and amplify the contributions of women in coaching across all sports and in the VAFA community. This month serves as a reminder of the invaluable impact women coaches have on players, teams, and communities across the country.

The VAFA is thrilled to announce that 56 women coaches are currently guiding teams across VAFA clubs in 2024. Seeing this number gradually increase each year is truly encouraging. To further enhance women’s participation and empower our existing women coaches, the VAFA organised a Level 2 Coaching Workshop in collaboration with AFL Victoria. The turnout at the session was exceptional, with 30 registered participants, 26 of whom represented 16 clubs in the VAFA competition. Earlier this year, the VAFA also held a Coach Your Way coach induction session, providing a first step for new coaches embarking on their coaching journey within the VAFA in 2024. These initiatives strongly prioritise boosting women’s involvement, particularly in the coaching space.

The significance of Women’s Coaching Month extends beyond just celebration; it’s a call to action for VAFA clubs to actively support and promote women’s participation in coaching roles. One pivotal initiative leading the charge is the ‘Coach Your Way Program’. This program serves as a gateway for women interested in coaching, providing them with the necessary resources, guidance, and mentorship to kickstart their coaching journey.

If you or your club is interested, please reach out to Pranav Menon (Club Support Coordinator) at [email protected].

Lastly, diverse coaching staff foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for athletes of all genders. Together, let’s champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in coaching; to continue to ensure that the VAFA community is a welcoming and representative space for all.