Port Adelaide coach Lauren Arnell expects to complete the upcoming AFLW season

Power AFLW coach Lauren Arnell says it will be business as usual for her and the Power for the upcoming season, as she hopes to break down barriers as a coaching mum-to-be.

Power senior coach Lauren Arnell and partner Lexia Edwards announce the upcoming birth of their child. Picture: Brooke Bowering

Port Adelaide’s Lauren Arnell hopes she can help break down barriers for women’s coaches as she starts a special new chapter of her life as a mum-to-be.

Arnell is the first AFLW senior coach to be pregnant while in the role.

The 36-year-old, who is heading into her second women’s season at the Power and has also worked with the club’s men’s program, is expecting a baby with her partner, Lexia, in January.

Arnell told The Advertiser that announcing the news to the players this week was really exciting and a bit emotional.

While it was “business as usual” as she expected to complete the upcoming AFLW season, Arnell was mindful that having children could be an obstacle for female coaches.

“It’s well researched and well documented that there’s many barriers for female coaches in high-performance sport and having a family is a major one of those,” Arnell said.

Arnell expects she will still complete the upcoming AFLW season. Picture: Brooke Bowering

“To be able to walk the path and try to break down some of that is actually important to myself.

“Being really conscious … that it is a barrier for female coaches at this level is definitely something that has been on my mind and hopefully it does break down a few barriers for others into the future.

“I feel very grateful to be involved here at Port Adelaide and know I will be supported every step of the way.

“It’s obviously going to be something different for everyone, but I haven’t felt anything but full support from the footy club, right from the top down.”

Arnell said some of the Power players had already given her baby suggestions.

“There was a few name requests from people wanting little duplicates of theirs and a few wondering which jumper number we’re going to end up putting on the baby’s back,” she said.

“I think we’re just going to run with 0 to 100 printed out on the back of the jumper, just to not play favourites.”

Arnell is the first former AFLW player to become a senior coach. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Captain Erin Phillips and Ange Foley are the only parents in the Power’s AFLW squad.

Arnell said her and Lexia have been going really well and were relieved to finally have their news out in the open.

“The playing groups are really excited and the wider club has been so supportive, and excited for us,” Arnell said.

“It’s a pretty special time.”

Arnell is already an AFLW trailblazer as the competition’s first former player to be appointed a senior coach in the league.

She had been Carlton’s inaugural captain then went to Brisbane, where she lined up in a premiership in 2021.

Port Adelaide begins its women’s season with a Showdown at Norwood Oval on September 2.

Originally published as Port Adelaide coach Lauren Arnell expects to complete the upcoming AFLW season