Karley Banks creates history as first ever female to coach at Open Men’s level in touch Origin series

An elite football coach has broken down a 30-year ‘gender barrier’ by becoming the first woman to take the helm of one of Australia’s elite football teams. Read about her remarkable journey from country Queensland to the world stage here.

The New Souths Wales Blues celebrate their Touch Football State of Origin Open Men's series win. Toowoomba’s Karlee Banks (pictured second from left) was the first ever woman to coach an Open Men’s team in the 30 year history of the Origin series.

The first woman to orchestrate a men’s NSW touch football State of Origin win hopes her historic feat is the catalyst to more elite Australian coaching gigs.

As she prepares to mentor one of Australia’s biggest rivals, Karley Banks wants to see more women in lead coaching roles.

Banks wrote her name into the history books in June as the first ever woman to coach an Open’s Men’s team in the 30-year history of SOO touch football.

Banks hoped her and the Blues success would open the door to an elite Australian coaching gig but she will mentor Cook Islands instead.

“I would absolutely love an elite Australian gig, one of the top sides but unfortunately that just isn’t on the cards right now,” she said.

“I understand in way but at the same time it is a little disappointing. I’ve moved on though accepting the open men’s head coaching role with Cook Islands.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity for me.

“They already have a very exciting and talented crop of players who just missed out on claiming bronze at the 2024 World Cup and I’m looking forward to working with them.

“My job is to get them on the podium in 2028.

“It’s another level for me but I think if I stick to my coaching philosophy of ensuring everyone buys into a team first mentality, (players) not being afraid to speak up and playing and training with attitude and energy I’m sure we can achieve our goal of a podium finish at the 2028 World Cup.”

Banks’ Cook Islands will also include the overall development of the Open Men’s program – a goal she should achieve with little trouble.

The Toowoomba woman was handed the Blues coaching reins two years ago and she set about rebuilding from the ground up.

“It was a relief at first,” Banks said of her side’s Open Men’s Series win.

“I’ve been working with this team the players, coaches and support staff for two years now.

“We’ve had our challenges and hurdles to overcome and quite a few injuries just before the Origin series as well.

“For the whole thing (the SOO series) to come down to who won game three of the Open Men division, the last game of the entire series which was played across 18 divisions, it was nerve-racking.

“After our win, when everything had settled, it was an unbelievable feeling realising what I had been able to achieve with this team.

“I wasn’t alone in this though, it was amazing knowing I was the first woman to coach at this level, but so many people have been part of this journey with me and they are just as much a part of this success as I am.”

Karley Banks celebrates helping coach New Souths Wales to a Touch Football State of Origin Open Men's series win.

Karley Banks celebrates being named Sports NSW Community Coach of the Year.

Since first taking up the sport in 1985, playing for Lions in Toowoomba, Banks has seen and experienced it all.

As a player she lined up at every level representing Queensland and Australia and is a dual-international having also played representative rugby league.

She first started coaching as a student at St Saviour’s College Toowoomba helping develop a touch football program and form teams for school-based and local competitions.

She has multiple NSW and National Touch League titles and been involved in countless elite clubs and development programs.

And the now 52-year-old has done it all while negotiating and working around gender-based ‘roadblocks’.

“There have been challenges and roadblocks along the way,” she said.

“I think there is some still some thinking out there that female coaches are not up to the job at the top level.

“I like to think I have disproved that though. It might have taken a little bit longer but I’ve got the job done and I have the record to show that.

“What I really hope is that other women – coaches, volunteers, officials and players – can look at me and be inspired.

“I hope they can look at me and other women in sport like me and see that if you work hard, stay committed and stick to your plan that you will be rewarded at whatever level your involved at.”

Originally published as Karley Banks creates history as first ever female to coach at Open Men’s level in touch Origin series