Vic women coaches leading the way

The start of June marks the beginning of Women’s Coaching Month, celebrating and recognising the contributions of women and girls in coaching roles across the country. Now in its fourth year, the theme for Women’s Coaching Month 2024 focusses on ‘Accessibility for All’ and strives to highlight the plethora of transferable skills women possess that could make coaching an ideal career pathway – across any level or league.

Victoria has seen some of the strongest growth in overall numbers for women and girls coaches compared to the rest of Australia, setting the ambitious target of 1,000 women in coaching by the end of 2024, which would set a new record, with current numbers sitting at 842.

The 842 registered female coaches in Victoria includes women and girls who coach from grassroots level through to the elite game, across both metropolitan and country regions.

Below are the names of the female coaches across the Victorian Metro and Country Coates Talent League (CTL) regions. In addition to these names, there are 61 women who are support coaches (volunteers) across the Victorian CTL regions. Support Coach roles provide flexibility for coaches to coach around their other commitments, such as being an AFLW player.

Click here for more information on Women's Coaching Month.

Victoria Country

CTL Regional Development Coaches (Head Coaches)

Melissa Hickey – Geelong Falcons (Girls)

Sally Riley – GWV Rebels (Girls)

Emma Mackie – Murray Bushrangers (Girls)

Whitney Kennedy – Bendigo Pioneers (Girls)

CTL Regional Assistant Development Coaches

Natasha Heffernan - Geelong Falcons (Girls)

Erin Burns – GWV Rebels (Girls)

Katie McAloon – GWV Rebels (Girls)

Shayla Marsh – Gippsland Power (Girls)

Chelsea Humphrey – Bendigo Pioneers (Girls)

Leah Olsen – Dandenong Stingrays (Girls)

Tori De Groot – Dandenong Stingrays (Girls)

Vic Country Representative Team U18 Girls Coaches

Melissa Hickey (Head Coach)

Sally Riley (Assistant Coach)

Emma Mackie (Assistant Coach)

Whitney Kennedy (Assistant Coach)

Vic Country Representative Team U16 Girls Coaches

Whitney Kennedy (Head Coach)

Tori De Groot (Assistant Coach)

Chelsea Humphrey (Assistant Coach)

Natasha Heffernan (Assistant Coach)

Current AFLW Players who are Support Coaches in country programs (volunteer roles)

Kate Darby

Jordy Allan

Charley Ryan

Mackenzie Eardley

Vic Metro

Regional Development Coach (Head Coach)

Allana Dickie - Northern Knights (Girls)

Martha Cantwell - Sandringham Dragons (Girls)

Hayley Gossow - Western Jets (Girls)

Lauren Morecroft - Eastern Ranges (Boys) **Only female Head Coach in CTL Boys program

Regional Assistant Development Coach

Laura Frazer - Northern Knights (Girls)

Susan Cadman - Northern Knights (Girls)

Jacara Egan - Western Jets (Girls)

Ashleigh Guest - Western Jets (Girls)

Lou Wotton - Western Jets (Girls)

Sophia Ikosidekas - Eastern Ranges (Girls)

Alix Kearney - Oakleigh Chargers (Girls)

Nicola Tenabel - Calder Cannons (Girls)

Sarah Gooden - Calder Cannons (Girls)

Penny Cula-Reid - Oakleigh Chargers (Boys) **Only female Assistant Coach in a CTL Metro Region Boys program

Vic Metro Representative Team U18 Girls Coaches

Allana Dickie - Northern Knights (Assistant Coach)

Martha Cantwell - Sandringham Dragons (Assistant Coach)

Hayley Gossow - Western Jets (Assistant Coach)

Vic Metro Representative Team U16 Girls Coaches

Hayley Gossow - Head Coach

Susan Cadman - Assistant Coach

Alix Kearney - Assistant Coach

Vic Metro Representative Team U16 Boys Coaches

Penny Cula-Reid - Assistant Coach

Current AFLW players who are support coaches in metro programs (volunteer roles)

Sarah Sansonetti

Gabby Newton (prior to being traded to Fremantle Dockers)

Mia Austin

Charlotte Wilson (prior to being traded to GC Suns)

Emma King