Collingwood women’s team looking for new coach after Wayne Siekman’s contract not renewed

Collingwood is on the hunt for a new AFLW coach after the club today announced it wouldn’t renew the contract of foundation coach Wayne Siekman.

Collingwood FC women's team coach, Wayne Siekman speaks at presser at the Holden Centre, Olympic Boulevard in the lead up to game against Carlton at Princess Park. Picture: Sarah Matray

Collingwood’s AFLW coach Wayne Siekman has been shown the door after a sub-par 2019 campaign in which the Magpies won just one game.

Siekman was Collingwood’s inaugural AFLW coach in 2017 but won’t have his contracted renewed after leading the side to last in Conference B in 2019.

“I’m very proud to have been involved in the creation of Collingwood’s AFLW operation ... the entire program was built from the ground up and it was a wonderful personal and professional privilege to share in,” Siekman said.

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Not long after the club released the news, Collingwood AFLW skipper Steph Chiocci took to social media to thank Siekman ...

“Wayne is more than a coach; he’s a mentor and most importantly a friend,” Chiocci wrote.

“Thank u for all that you’ve done for our club & for me personally. I wish u nothing but the best.”

The Pies have said a search for Siekman’s replacement will start immediately.

“I owe so much to the players and staff who contributed to what will be seen in time as the foundation years of not only Collingwood’s AFLW program but the AFLW competition itself,” Siekman said.

Outgoing Magpies coach Wayne Siekman after his side’s final-round win over Brisbane. Pic: Getty Images

“I want to thank Collingwood for its pioneering spirit, for embracing female football from the outset and for giving some extraordinary women an opportunity to live out their dreams.

“A launch pad for success at Collingwood is in place. I walk away grateful for the opportunity to have shared in such an important time in women’s sport and wish everyone the best.”

Collingwood chief executive, Mark Anderson, praised Siekman for helping Collingwood to navigate its way through the formative years of the AFLW competition.

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“We are proud to have established and built an elite women’s football team that is now an integral part of our club,” Anderson said.

“As the inaugural coach, Wayne can be proud of the important role he played. He has a certain place in our club’s history as the first Collingwood AFLW coach, someone who helped shape what we expect will be a very successful future.”

Wayne is more than a coach; he’s a mentor & most importantly a friend. Thank u for all that you’ve done for our Club & for me personally. I wish u nothing but the best. Ps - don’t for a second think that our daily phone calls are going to stop! @sambo54111 🖤 @CollingwoodFCW https://t.co/GmvIiG8IVw

— Stephanie Chiocci (@Steph_Chiocci) April 4, 2019