West Coast Eagles Head of Women’s Football Michelle Cowan has been selected as one of five emerging leaders from the AFL industry for a program aimed at strengthening pathways for women into men’s football departments.
The League’s newly-created Women in Football Talent Program is designed to accelerate women’s participation and progression into key leadership roles within AFL football departments.
The six-month program commenced last month with the first experience at the AFL Draft, which Cowan attended with West Coast’s recruiting team.
"It’s great to be selected for this program,” Cowan told westcoasteagles.com.au. “The support from the Club and AFL has been terrific.
“To go to work every day and love what you do, surrounded by empowering leadership and great people makes for an incredibly enjoyable career.
"I'll continue to grow, learn and lead. No doubt this program will help fast-track and facilitate this."
The program aims to establish a pipeline of women into men’s football departments and build on their technical skills, knowledge and capabilities in football operations.
Modules include Recruiting and List Management, TPP and Soft Cap Management, Governance and Integrity, Training and Match Day Operations and Media.
AFL Executive General Manager People, Sarah Fair, said the program provides more opportunities for women to make their mark on the game.
“Women are currently underrepresented in club football departments in the men’s competition and the Women in Football Talent Program provides talented women who aspire to pursue careers in football departments the opportunity to build key relationships, skills and expertise and a direct pathway to leadership positions,” Fair said.
“The program also provides visibility for women in leadership across a variety of roles in football operations showcasing opportunities for career progression and will assist with retaining and advancing female talent within our industry.”
Cowan is joined in the program by Kate Mahony (Sydney Swans, Executive General Manager - AFLW), Jess Burger (Collingwood, AFLW Head of Women’s Football), Juliet Haslam (Port Adelaide, Head of AFLW) and Sophia Samartzis (AFL, Competition Operations Manager).
