Female Coaching Forum

February 27, 2020

FJFC is committed to getting more females involved in coaching junior football – it’s not as daunting as you think! Come along and find out what is involved.

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 7 PM – 8 PM

Where: North Fitzroy Library, 240 St Georges Road

How: Register here on the Facebook Event or call Keli Symons (FJFC Coaching Co-ordinator) on 0433 840 230

Encouragement from one of our Female Coaches: Keli Symons

Girls footy has gone gangbusters at FJFC over the last few years, so why do we still not have many female coaches??

A Monash University study conducted last season found the following fun facts about female footy coaches in the YJFL:

• most have never played football
• most coach female teams
• most are the mothers of players in the team
• all had previously played a team sport
• all knew it was extremely important to have female role-models in the community.

Basically that is me!

I was very keen to be positive role model to my kids, I loved kicking the footy with them and I loved spending time with their friends. So I put my hand up, did the Level One AFL coaching course and have now coached Auskick, Under 9s and 10s mixed teams and U12 girls as well as taking on the Coach Coordinator role at the club. Seriously, best decision. Ever.

I don’t know everything about footy. My kicking has certainly improved, I understand the positions better now, but I am still terrible with game plans and tactics and I never get my own ball in markers-up. But other skills are just as important – imparting a strong sense of fairness and belonging as well as encouraging good sportsmanship.

I found Fitzroy to be a welcoming and supportive environment for me as a new coach. Being a big club, there is so much support and structure to help you. I asked a lot of questions, still do, and I always get helpful responses.

The single biggest barrier to females coaching footy is lack of self-confidence in their ability. So if those fun facts about female coaches sound a bit like you, then the only thing stopping you is YOU. If you are still not sure, give me a call and I’ll talk you into it!

Better still, come to our event on Tuesday 3rd March and let other female coaches tell you about their experiences!

Keli Symons
FJFC Coaching Co-ordinator
Ph: 0433 840 230