O'Neill spreads her wings in Hawthorn coaching role
Off the back of Women's Coaching Month Presented by BHP, we caught up with Hawthorn VFLW Head Coach and AFLW Development Coach, Cherie O'Neill, to discuss her football pathway, passion for coaching and her goals for the future.
O'Neill grew up in Kangaroo Flat and began her footy career playing with the under 12 boys team. After a successful first season, she was told that girls couldn’t play in with the boys in the under 14s, and after running the boundary for a few years, she gave up and decided to play basketball.
Years later, O'Neill came across the news that Bendigo was putting together a women's team — the Bendigo Thunder.
O'Neill enjoyed a successful career at the Thunder, making the finals in her first year, and then proceeding to win back-to-back premierships.
When her body eventually gave out on her, O'Neill retired from playing, but she still had a passion for football and so she became involved in coaching.
"I still had the passion for football and so I started coaching my two boys in under 12’s. I was able to coach them through under 12s and under 14s," O'Neill said.
"I took up coaching role as an assistant for Bendigo Thunder and that eventually lead into the Head Coaching role."
"I then moved to the Bendigo Pioneer program as a Development Coach in the boys’ program and this opened up some great opportunities including Head Coach of the girls’ program. During this time, I also coached for Vic Country program in both a Head Coach and an assistant role."
Cherie O'Neil coaching team of Country speaks to players during the AFLW Under 19 Challenge match between Victoria Country and Victoria Metro at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on April 02, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
O'Neill was appointed as the Hawthorn VFLW Head Coach ahead of the 2022 season and will continue to progress her coaching by working in a Development Coaching role at Hawthorn AFLW alongside mentor and role model, Bec Goddard.
Like Goddard, O'Neill has aspirations to work at the highest level in the AFL or AFLW and is passionate about developing young talent.
"I've built a real passion for helping people develop their game and reach their goals, whether that's through being drafted or simply helping a junior kick the ball correctly."
"It is humbling to watch players develop and reach their goals knowing you played a small part in their journey."
As a female coach, O'Neill is part of a minority, and whilst this has presented challenges, she is excited by the progress being made to encourage more female participation in coaching.
"Hopefully as more females get into more coaching positions at the higher levels it will be seen as ‘normal’ — as the saying goes you can’t be, what you can’t see."
"With that, hopefully more women back themselves to follow their passion and see a pathway, not only for players, but for coaches as well."
"Get involved and follow your dreams — anything is possible if you are willing to put in the time and effort."
The AFL has committed to the continued progression of the game for women and girls across all levels of Australian Football.
Focusing on the pillars of Participation, Pathways and Performance, and Partnerships, the AFL and AFL Victoria are supporting a number of initiatives that recognises the current state of play and forecasts future objectives and targets for the AFL across junior participation programs, community football, talent pathways, state leagues, administration, diversity and inclusion, umpiring, coaching and the NAB AFL Women’s Competition.
Through these implementation of these initiatives the AFL is striving to become the most accessible, inclusive and visible sport in Australia, and the number one sporting choice for girls and women.
With the launch of the Women's Football Vision, the AFL has committed to several key targets by 2030.
- At least 50 per cent of AFLW senior coaching positions held by women
- NAB AFLW players to become the best paid sportswomen in a domestic competition in the country
- Strong and visible pathways for administrators to ensure women are positioned for senior football positions
- Equal participation and representation across all levels of community football
