GIANTS AFLW star Katherine Smith is among an intake of outstanding coaching talent selected to take part in the 12-month BHP Women's Coaching Academy program.
The 23-year-old has a passion for coaching, working as an Assistant with the Allies in AFL NSW/ACT’s female development program and is currently the Head of Women's Football and Women's Premier Co-Coach at Macquarie University FC.
The program will look to hone in on their existing skillsets and will see them be supported in their development as the next generation of coaching talents.
The women will receive mentoring support from inaugural St Kilda AFLW Coach Peta Searle throughout the 12 months and will complete the National Level Three Coaching Accreditation Course.
AFL Coaching Development and Education Manager, Julia Lawrence congratulated the group of women who were selected for the Academy.
“After three successful years of the BHP Women’s Coaching Academy where we have seen many women progress to more senior coaching positions, it is incredibly exciting to welcome a further eight talented and highly respected women to the 2022 program,” Lawrence told AFL Media.
“As more players come through the AFLW Competition and seek to transition to off-field, we expect to see more women taking on coaching roles across men’s and women’s programs, which is incredibly pleasing.
“This year alone, we have seen a record number of applications for women’s coaching, and we will continue to work towards ensuring that coaching is viewed as a legitimate pathway for everyone involved in the game.
“We remain absolutely committed to creating legitimate coaching pathways for women and through the Academy, we hope to see emerging talent develop their coaching and skillset to progress to coaching positions at the elite AFL and AFLW level.
“The AFL will continue to support initiatives that encourage and promote women to senior coaching positions, and we look forward to further supporting Clubs in achieving this vision.
“As such, we are pleased to also announce that BHP, together with the AFL, has funded a further seven places for women to take part in a National Level Three Coaching Accreditation Course.”
BHP Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Fiona Vines reiterated Lawrence's sentiment, congratulating both those involved in the BHP Women's Football Academy and the National Level Three Coaching Accreditation Course.
“Congratulations to the eight participants selected for the 2022 BHP Coaching Academy and to the further seven women who were identified as exceptional coaching talent for the National Level Three Coaching Accreditation” Vines told AFL Media.
"Your desire to up skill and forge new paths for the women of the future will contribute greatly to gender diversity across all levels of Australian Football.
"We are proud to support you on this journey and look forward to seeing the impact of your achievements for many years to come."
See below for complete list of participants in 2022 BHP Women’s Coaching Academy:
- Lauren Arnell – Development Coach/Female Head Coach, Brisbane Lions Academy
- Elise Coventry – AFLW Development Coach, Geelong Cats
- Courtney Cramey – AFLW Assistant Coach, Adelaide Crows
- Jacara Egan – Assistant Coach U19 Men’s/Women’s, Calder Cannons
- Pia Faletti - Rogers Cup Head Coach/League Assistant Coach, Subiaco FC Women’s
- Daisy Pearce – AFLW Captain, Melbourne Football Club
- Katherine Smith – Head Coach – Premier Women’s Team, Macquarie University FC
- Emma Zielke – AFLW Assistant Coach, Brisbane Lions
