SA Footy

Congratulations to Peta Searle appointed as a development coach at St Kilda this morning.
She becomes the first female to hold a full time coaching gig in the AFL. I had the chance to listen to her at a coaching course at Adelaide Oval in January when she was still Assistant Coach at Port Melbourne, and she has so much passion about the game, her game philosophies and skills are second to none. Wish her the best in her new role, and well done St Kilda Football Club.

That's a massive achievement!

Interestingly, Steven Trigg spoke at a conference i was at a couple months ago and he hinted then that in the very near future that a female would gain a full time coaching role..

Seems to me a token move by the Saints. She apparently quit coaching completely citing time constraints. Now takes full time job with them.

Good record though and sound like she knows her stuff.

As i mentioned, Trigg dropped hints a while back.. I get the impression that the AFL has a hand in this - big marketing opportunity to promote equality for women in football!

Hopefully she has success.

Maybe Melbournes next head coach?

heater31 wrote:Seems to me a token move by the Saints. She apparently quit coaching completely citing time constraints. Now takes full time job with them.

Good record though and sound like she knows her stuff.

She actually walked away from coaching at VFL level earlier this season because of a lack of opportunities. Still pretty huge effort when she has two kids under the age of 6 at home as well.

heater31 wrote:Seems to me a token move by the Saints. She apparently quit coaching completely citing time constraints. Now takes full time job with them.

Good record though and sound like she knows her stuff.

I believe this was due to trying to work/manage a family, and coach of top of that, no different to why some SANFL players are having to retire before their time.

Good luck to her.

Phantom Gossiper wrote:As i mentioned, Trigg dropped hints a while back.. I get the impression that the AFL has a hand in this - big marketing opportunity to promote equality for women in football!

Hopefully she has success.

Maybe Melbournes next head coach?

maybe st kilda wasn't such a good choice then

Thought the Saints only liked school girls

I'm choosing not to comment on this appointment to avoid the backlash of abuse and being labeled no doubt many many things.

carey wrote:I'm choosing not to comment on this appointment to avoid the backlash of abuse and being labeled no doubt many many things.

^ This

so many 'head job' lines.......hurting my head to try choose one to use.

Worth a shot.

I met her at Level 2 accreditation training 5 years ago. I think she's credible, has good football knowledge and experience and in theory could be a good development coach for the Saints. The one thing that's hard to predict is how players embrace her as far as respect goes. I wish her all the best of luck and hope she succeeds.

Yeah, why not. That lot have played like girls for the last 140 years so why not make it official.

Well done!

Ruben Carter wrote:I met her at Level 2 accreditation training 5 years ago. I think she's credible, has good football knowledge and experience and in theory could be a good development coach for the Saints. The one thing that's hard to predict is how players embrace her as far as respect goes. I wish her all the best of luck and hope she succeeds.

I too hope she is a success.

The thing is "Development Coach" could mean a multitude of things and not just telling young players where to run, how to kick etc etc.

I've no problem with it, my only "chuckle" is that it's the Saints leading the way with this.

Geelong should have signed her up as a player going by last week's effort.

regards,

REB