NAB League Girls coaches left on the outer for 2021
A raft of changes is coming to the elite under-age competition, including to the coaching ranks. But coaches from the NAB League Girls are feeling left on the outer as the league moves towards full-time coaches.
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A whole league of elite under-age football coaches has been sidelined by contentious changes to the NAB League competitions.
As of next year one coach will look after both the girls and boys teams in each region, with one season leading into another.
The AFL will hire the coaches as full-timers.
But coaches from the NAB League Girls were unable to apply for the coaching jobs when the AFL advertised them internally.
Their contracts expired at the end of May, ruling them out as “in-house’’ applicants.
Only AFL employees will be considered for the full-time positions.
NAB League Boys coaches and region talent managers who had been part-time must reapply for their jobs.
One coach involved with the NAB League Girls last year described the situation as a “shambles’’.
“We’re no longer employed by the AFL — that finished on May 31 — so none of us can apply,’’ he said.
“There’s no opportunity for any of us to throw our hats into the ring for the head coaching positions, and it’s frustrating for people who have put a lot of time and effort into the Girls programs.
“There are some really talented people in that space and they should at least have the opportunity to go for the overall role. Open it up and pick the best people.’’
He said the NAB League Girls coaches should at least be steered towards senior assistant roles next year to use their knowledge and experience in female football.
Already one NAB League Boys coach, Sandringham Dragons’ Josh Bourke, has stood down because of the full-time requirement.
Tamara Hyett, the niece of goalkicking great Doug Wade, coached the Dragons Girls.
Meanwhile, the NAB League Boys season is also expected to be shorter next year, with players to turn out more for their schools and local clubs.
The AFL said it wanted the programs to “increase their connection to community football’’.
But the decision to reduce the season has angered AFL clubs.
“The changes to the NAB League … bloody hell. They’re really cutting deep,” one club’s chief recruiter said.
“The kids are not going to be prepared as well, not going to be developed as well and they’re going to be harder to identify.
“And the Boys competition is now on the same level as the girls, and the coach of the boys will also be coaching the girls.’’
Clubs expect the national draft to be held in mid-December, following Year 12 exams.
An AFL spokesman said the AFL had an obligation to give priority to its existing employees.
But he said if all the coaching positions could not be filled internally the league would open applications up externally.
The AFL said it was thrilled the NAB League Girls coaching positions had evolved to full-time roles in just two years.
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