This July is the third edition of Women’s Coaching Month Presented by BHP. The initiative is dedicated to celebrating the hard work and dedication of female coaches, who contribute so much to the development of women and girls' football.
We spoke with Lily Tastula about her experience as a head coach for the Waratah Under 18's Girls' team in the 2022/23 season.
Can you share with us your journey to becoming a football coach?
I have played football in the territory for the past 7 years. I currently play for Waratah Football Club and started working with AFLNT in early 2022. Through my work at AFLNT, I have learned a lot about the sport, and fell in love with contributing to the development of kids' AFL skills. As soon as I heard that Waratah were looking for an Under 18’s head coach, I completed my Level 1 in coaching and put my hand up. I was eager to take the role, as I had just moved up to the Senior age bracket and had already established a strong connection with many of the girls on the team. That's how I ended up being the head coach of Waratah Under 18's Girls' team in the 2022/23 season.
What were some of the challenges you faced as a female coach in the industry?
While I faced many challenges in my role as a coach, most were not related to being a female coach in the industry. However, there are people who still hold the view that men know more than women do when it comes to AFL, which I believe to be untrue.
Could you share a pivotal moment in your coaching career that significantly influenced your coaching philosophy?
Towards the end of the 22/23 season, I was debating whether to give up and let the team fold due to lack of numbers. However, I received so much support from other teams and a great deal of appreciation and positivity from the girls I was coaching, that I decided to stick with it. Through this process, I have become a resilient, positive, and tough-skinned coach.
Coaching any team is a tough job, but it is very rewarding, and you build relationships and networks with people that last a lifetime.
How do you envision the future of women in football coaching?
In the not-so-distant future, I hope to see the majority of women’s teams being led by female coaches. It would also be fantastic to see more support for women who coach the Junior Girls’ teams.
