Football Queensland (FQ) has hosted the state’s first female-only Football Australia/AFC C Diploma course since 2018, sparking more development opportunities for women in coaching.
16 candidates from clubs across Brisbane took their next step on the coaching pathway as they completed Part 1 of the course in November.
In an ongoing objective to contribute to Football Australia’s target of 100,000 registered coaches, FQ will regularly conduct coaching programs by providing dedicated coaching staff. With the impact of Covid-19 less than it was just a couple years ago, it will lead to programs being consistently run, such as for AFC C Diploma qualifications.
In general, the coaching pathways can be either from community-based or advanced coaching courses, creating pathways to move from grassroots all the way up to the professional environment.
Football & State Technical Director Gabor Ganczer said in an FQ statement:
“As outlined in our recently released 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan, Football Queensland is committed to achieving 50/50 gender parity in participants, referees, committees and club officials by 2027,” he explained.
“Growing the number of female coaches across the state is critical to meeting this gender parity target, so we’re excited to provide more development opportunities for our female coaching candidates as we support them in their progression by offering female-only courses.
“Football Queensland has already been very active in the delivery of courses specifically for female coaches at the community level, and just recently we were proud to deliver the country’s first ever female-only Football Australia/AFC B Diploma.
“We’re excited to further strengthen the opportunities for progression from community coaching for female coaches through the delivery of the Football Australia/AFC C Diploma course which we hope to deliver more regularly in the future.”
FQ Club Development Ambassador – Head of Coaching Davide Bertamini added via press release:
“It is fantastic to see such high demand for female-only courses in Queensland, with over 50 female coaches expressing their interest in the recent female-only Football Australia/AFC C Diploma course,” he said.
“Attendees heard from highly experienced presenters during part 1 of the course including CommBank Matildas Assistant Coach Mel Andreatta, while other special guest presenters including CommBank Junior Matildas Head Coach Rae Dower will join us for part 2.
“It was wonderful to receive some fantastic feedback from attendees who highlighted the encouraging and supportive environment that was created on the course as they were challenged to reflect, think critically and grow as coaches.
“In addition to creating more development opportunities for female coaches, Football Queensland is also focused on providing additional learning opportunities for our female coach developers including Priscilla Tan and Lauren Mangan who were in attendance to observe and assist throughout the opening three days of the recent female-only C Diploma.
“A number of other female coach developers will be invited to join us for part 2 of the course as we continue working to strengthen the pathway for female coaches and coach developers throughout the state.”
For more information on coaching pathways, you can find it here.
