Narelle Smith will become first woman to coach a SANFL men’s team after Glenelg promoted her from its assistant ranks

A LONG-TIME female coach will make history this year as the first woman to take the reins of a SANFL men’s team.

Narelle Smith will take charge of Glenelg’s reserves side this season. Picture: Matt Loxton.

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A LONG-TIME female coach will make history this year as the first woman to take the reins of a SANFL men’s team.

Narelle Smith says it will be business as usual as she coaches Glenelg Football Club’s reserves.

Smith, 48, has been promoted this month from being an assistant with the reserves and does not shy away from being labelled a pioneer for women in football.

“I don’t think about it too much, I just get to work and go about my business” says Smith, who also coached Glenelg’s SANFLW side last year.

“I guess it’s just in my make up, to put myself out there, keep challenging myself and moving forward.

“After gaining a lot of experience in women’s footy, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and moving into coaching men has certainly done that and pushed me further.”

Smith, a former 130-game centre half-back, was appointed as a reserves assistant coach at Glenelg in 2015.

She had steered Morphettville Park to back-to-back SA Women’s Football League (SAWFL) premierships and was seeking a new challenge.

Narelle Smith coaching Glenelg’s SANFLW last year. Picture Dean Martin.

Smith has also had a stint as chairperson for the SAWFL, been backline coach for Melbourne in a match against Western Bulldogs and helped to set up training programs in SA.

She says her new role at the Tigers has come at a perfect time given former Fremantle and Sydney assistant coach Mark Stone has been appointed as senior coach of the league team.

“It’s amazing timing for me to come in to this new role with Mark joining the club.

“He brings a lot of experience with his AFL background and it will allow me to learn and grow as a coach.”

Smith will likely bring a more defensive focus to Glenelg’s reserves side, which is coming off an eighth-placed finish after conceding the most points in the competition.

She says development of the Bays’ young list by instilling good habits and getting the basics right will be a priority.