VFLW: Penny Cula-Reid stands down as Williamstown coach
Williamstown is on the lookout for a new coach after its previous mentor stood down from the role to pursue other football opportunities.
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There will be a new mentor in charge at Williamstown for the 2023 VFLW season.
The Seagulls have announced Penny Cula-Reid has stood down from the position of senior coach after three years in charge.
Cula-Reid arrived at the club in 2020 and played an “important role in the continuation of the development of the women’s program” at the Seagulls.
She leaves to pursue further opportunities in footy.
“Penny has played a key role in the growth of our women’s program and on behalf of the Seagulls family, I thank her for her commitment over the past three seasons,” Williamstown chief executive Ashley Baskey said.
“Penny’s passion for women’s football has seen several young players drafted to the AFLW this season.”
The Seagulls finished second last on the ladder in 2022 with a 2-11 record with wins coming against Footscray and Port Melbourne.
Despite the poor record, Cula-Reid’s side showed plenty of promise pushing several different sides who went onto play finals footy.
Cula-Reid said the past three years had brought a variety of different challenges in the role after her departure.
“It has been a whirlwind three years and throughout the Covid period the lub has been extremely supportive in ensuring the football programs continued to operate,” she said.
“My time as a Seagull has been nothing but a positive experience and I want to thank everyone who I have worked with and wish Williamstown nothing but the best of success in future years.”
The Seagulls have three players from their 2022 side drafted into the AFLW earlier this year including Bridie Kennedy (Sydney Swans), Sophia McCarthy (North Melbourne) and Gabrielle Bidenweg-Webster (Gold Coast Suns).
Williamstown is already beginning its search for the next senior women’s coach.
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