From Newman to the VFLW - the footy journey of Allana Dickie

As the AFL celebrates the final days of Women's Coaching Month Presented by BHP, we take a look at the lifelong football career of Williamstown Football Club VFLW Assistant Coach Allana Dickie as we reflect on a footy journey that has taken her from a small town north of Perth right across the country, with a goal to one day coach at the elite level.

Growing up with footy

Originally from Newman, Western Australia, about 1200 kilometres North of Perth, Dickie started playing football at the age of four and got her first experience of football playing alongside older brother and one of her biggest role models, Matt, at their local Auskick.

After Auskick, Dickie then continued on to the Newman Junior football league where she played from 1994 until 2003.

However, at 14 she was told she couldn't play with the boys anymore and instead tried netball and soccer.

But Dickie never lost her interest in football, and during her time away from playing, she continued to train with the Newman Tigers Football Club men's team.

It was during this time that Dickie also had her first introduction to coaching at age 15. She would run water for mens team—of which her Dad and brother were involved—and since she was always down at the club, her Dad decided to give her the task of teaching new and inexperienced players the basics of football.

During Year 11,  she requested AFL permission to play colts with the boys. Dickie went on to captain one of the two colts teams and represented Newman in the Newman vs Tom Price game where she became the first female to do so for Newman.

She would eventually follow her brother down to Perth to play for Swan Districts where she played from 2008 to 2016 in a career that included a reserves premiership, multiple reserves Grand Finals and a place in the team of the decade. She transferred to Claremont in 2017 and in 2019 was part of the coaching group.

Coaching and move to Victoria

In 2020, Dickie made the move to Victoria, and in 2021 she took on a playing-coaching role at Williamstown VFLW (Development Coach).

Coaching comes naturally to Dickie, and she loves to see the reward that a player can achieve when they are coached well.

"I love seeing people improve and achieve their goals, whether that be mastering a skill, being selected in a team or being drafted. I also just love giving back and I get a big kick out of helping people," she said.

Dickie is passionate about the mental side of football and recently became a certified mindset coach to help her and her players better understand their performance.

Dickie has aspirations to one day coach at the highest level and hopes to educate the next generation of elite footballers about the importance of mindset and navigating some of the challenges that come with the game.

"I am focused at the moment on working towards becoming a head coach at NAB League level so looking at continuing to improve the development gaps I have to be able to achieve this."

"I then will strive to work in an AFL Club across both programs as Development/Academy Coach with a focus on Development & Mindset, upskilling the next crop of players - that would be the dream!"

On Women's Coaching Month and Female Football

Dickie is a vocal advocate for the advancement of the women's game and hopes that initiatives such as Women's Coaching Month will continue to increase female participation within football, and particularly in the field of coaching. 

Dickie insists that we need to continue to work together to ensure there are no gaps in the pathway so a player can start their journey at a club and continue right through to Seniors and Masters football.

She also believes that we need more male role models to support women in football and help them to get to the place they need to be, whether that be through grassroots football, pathways programs, or at the elite level in the VFL/VFLW and AFL/AFLW.

Dickie's advice to women and girls who are interested in football or coaching is to just "give it a go." 

"It's such a great way to make new friends, stay healthy and active and so much fun - I am definitely bias but it's the best sport I've played!"

"You do not even need to know football to make a great coach. If you care about your players, put them first and create a positive environment for them, you can be a great coach."

Learn more about coaching and Women’s Coaching Month at: 2022 Women’s Coaching Month | Coach.afl