Western Bulldogs defender Jordan Roughead joins VWFL club VU-St Albans’ coaching staff
VU-ST Albans has become the first Victorian Women’s Football League club to sign a current AFL player to its coaching panel.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
VU-ST Albans has become the first Victorian Women’s Football League club to sign a current AFL player to its coaching panel.
Western Bulldogs defender Jordan Roughead joined the Spurs late last month, making his debut as Debbie Lee’s right-hand man in the club’s VWFL Premier Division clash against St Kilda Sharks in Round 6.
Lee said the AFL vice-captain’s knowledge would prove invaluable for her inexperienced side.
“It’s great news for the club,” Lee said.
“He’s doing a level two coaching certificate. We’ve been talking with the Western Bulldogs from a community participation point of view.
“His pure knowledge in terms of footy, his level of AFL knowledge and professionalism — I don’t think there are any Victorian women’s teams that have an AFL vice-captain on their coaching panel.”
It has been a tough year for the Spurs, who are winless after seven matches.
But while Roughead hasn’t been secured beyond 2015, the coup is expected to help fast track the development of Lee’s young stars.
“He’ll try to get to one training session a week,” she said. “When his game clashes, he won’t be part of the coaching panel, but there are five or six games we’ve highlighted (as available).
“We’ve got a pretty young coaching panel, so it’s just great to share thoughts and ratify the game plan. It’s a win-win.”
The VWFL legend said Roughead’s recruitment was a benefit for the Spurs and a plus for women’s football. “It will give the Spurs the ability to use him as a recruiting tool,” Lee said.
“He’s willing to be involved in girls’ development of footy — he brings a range of different qualities around professionalism and just being a role model to promote the sport.”
Lee said VU-St Albans was still looking for senior women, reserves and youth girls footballers for this season.
Every in and out across Victorian Premier Cricket
From interstate stars to seasoned veterans, pen is hitting paper everywhere across Victorian Premier Cricket. Keep up to date with each move through our signing tracker.
Named: Players to watch revealed on eve of Premier Invitational
Australia’s largest football tournament is just two sleeps away, with 500 teams and over 7500 players and coaches gearing up for the nine-day-long Premier Invitational. Meet the players you must see in action, the X-factors and born leaders: