Cats AFLW coach selected for national academy

GEELONG AFLW development coach Elise Coventry has been chosen as one of only eight participants in the 2022 BHP Coaching Academy.

Starting last week, the 12-month program recognises and develops outstanding coaching talent across the AFLW.

A former player for Geelong and a member of the Cats’ inaugural AFLW squad, Coventry played 30 VFLW games for the club before an ACL injury dashed her dream in the game’s top league.

Coventry joined the Cats’ coaching staff for the 2021 season, playing an active role until the birth of her first child, Angus, in April.

The eight women in the academy – which also include Melbourne AFLW captain Daisy Pearce and Brisbane Lions Academy head female coach Lauren Arnell – will receive mentoring support from inaugural St Kilda AFLW coach Peta Searle.

Now in its fourth year, the Women’s Coaching Academy sees participants take part in a comprehensive 12-month program and complete the National AFL Level 3 Coaching Accreditation Course.

The academy also aims to support and develop the existing women’s coaching group, while identifying and accelerating the development of the next generation of talent.

AFL coaching development and education manager Julia Lawrence congratulated the eight women selected for this year’s 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,” she said.

“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 3 AFL Coaching Accreditation Course.”