http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/lost-for-words-afls-first-female-coach-peta-searle-20140602-zrulm.html

This is an extraordinary earthquake in football culture, and I think a really big step forward for the game, as it demonstrates innovation in a very reactionary culture. I for one choose to believe that this is based on merit alone and has nothing to do with the Saints recent off field shenanigans, although I'm sure it will be alluded to (and I only mention it from a devils advocate POV).

Having worked with some brilliant and brave women in traditionally male only enterprises, I don't see any reason why Searle can't be an ace coach, anyone who is able to make their dream come true against adversity is worthy of great respect.

edit: the references were included as support for the merit of having Searle as coach, with such high female participation either as audiences or otherwise compared to the other codes, it seems to me to be a natural evolution to have a woman coaching. by the by, my father (who was a fantastic kick of the football) was taught by my grandmother, not my grandfather.

ABS :

http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4156.0.55.001Feature+Article1May%202009

The Australian:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/afl-a-universal-favourite-thats-a-force-for-good/story-fn8qlm5e-1226483479334#

Impact of this across community engagement is strong. The AFL claims 42 per cent of its national television audience is female and 35 per cent of its club memberships.

Edited June 2, 201411 yr by Ingeniokinetikey

Well done Peta for working so hard to be given the opportunity.

how does this compare to say the epl, nrl , nfl, etc? anyone know?

Good on her! Its a very proud moment and I hope she does real well. She definitely has done her apprenticeship throughout the years and its a credit to her for the hard work she has put in.

Please, please, producers of The Footy Show, please do not let Sam Newman make fun of this appointment or, even worse, make a misogynistic comment about it. It wouldn't be funny and any short term boost The Footy Show might get from being faux controversial does not justify any such approach.

Peta Searle's appointment is of incredible importance to the AFL as it builds on its reputation as one of the most female-supported football codes in the world. Good luck to her and well done St Kilda.

AFL footballers struggle to listen to a coach that hasnt played seniors before,footy is littered with players who didnt want to give these non AFL blokes a go.

Unfortunately whether people like it or not,there will be an element of no trust or respect.

Im not anti female,but players will be,its dressing unfortunately.until a woman coaches a VFL side and moves through the ranks that way,its just nothing but advertising mush.

Go to your local footy club and ask the players if they would listen to a woman.

Feminists need not attack me,but retort in common sense.

Will be a tough road but if Peta is a good coach she will make it.

AFL footballers struggle to listen to a coach that hasnt played seniors before,footy is littered with players who didnt want to give these non AFL blokes a go.

Unfortunately whether people like it or not,there will be an element of no trust or respect.

Im not anti female,but players will be,its dressing unfortunately.until a woman coaches a VFL side and moves through the ranks that way,its just nothing but advertising mush.

Go to your local footy club and ask the players if they would listen to a woman.

Feminists need not attack me,but retort in common sense.

I'll bet they listen to their mothers, their wives, their girlfriends and their daughters. And I'll also bet they've learned plenty from them, too. Why does it matter whether someone has "played the game at the top level" or not?

Go to your local footy club and ask the players if they would listen to a woman.

That's only because the average footy club is a few decades behind on the social evolution scale. Give it time. I expect my children's generation would be much less prejudiced than my generation, which is much less prejudiced than my parents'. This particular appointment should prove to be a huge step forward in that regard.

Edited June 3, 201411 yr by Nasher

AFL footballers struggle to listen to a coach that hasnt played seniors before,footy is littered with players who didnt want to give these non AFL blokes a go.

Unfortunately whether people like it or not,there will be an element of no trust or respect.

Im not anti female,but players will be,its dressing unfortunately.until a woman coaches a VFL side and moves through the ranks that way,its just nothing but advertising mush.

Go to your local footy club and ask the players if they would listen to a woman.

Feminists need not attack me,but retort in common sense.

Rubbish.

We have a female trainer at our football who is also a qualified in doing physio. She knows her stuff commands respect and we absolutely respect the work she puts in to getting us ready for week after week.

I would have no worry in the world if a woman was my assistant coach. If she knows the game then half the blokes in the footy club then why wouldn't she get the respect from the boys.

I'll bet they listen to their mothers, their wives, their girlfriends and their daughters. And I'll also bet they've learned plenty from them, too. Why does it matter whether someone has "played the game at the top level" or not?

Yep you are right.now go and ask them their thoughts if mum,sister,girlfriend is appointed the coach what would the reaction be.

That's only because the average footy club is a few decades behind on the social evolution scale. Give it time. I expect my children's generation would be much less prejudiced than my generation, which is much less prejudiced than my parents'. This particular appointment should prove to be a huge step forward in that regard.

Maybe in the future,but i cant see it happening,most footballers always ask the question"have you done that".

Rubbish.

We have a female trainer at our football who is also a qualified in doing physio. She knows her stuff commands respect and we absolutely respect the work she puts in to getting us ready for week after week.

I would have no worry in the world if a woman was my assistant coach. If she knows the game then half the blokes in the footy club then why wouldn't she get the respect from the boys.

DD, does the physio COACH and do the players listen to her coaching?.

We have females working at our local and we are in front of the AFL not behind,as we have had female club presidents and league presidents,but NEVER a female coach.

Its interesting that people jump on the feminist bandwagon,but how many of those people have gone down to a local club and actually asked footballers{including a club where you dont know anybody}.

I suppose that sort of homework defeats the purpose of some antagonists.

That's only because the average footy club is a few decades behind on the social evolution scale. Give it time. I expect my children's generation would be much less prejudiced than my generation, which is much less prejudiced than my parents'. This particular appointment should prove to be a huge step forward in that regard.

I agree.

That said, I heard Peta speak at her presser. I thought that she struggled to communicate. Let's just put it down to nerves - God knows how I would handle a presser!

I agree.

That said, I heard Peta speak at her presser. I thought that she struggled to communicate. Let's just put it down to nerves - God knows how I would handle a presser!

True, but the AFL will throw as much as possible at this for future gains.

To bad they dont throw money at female goal umpires for local footy,we desperately need umps.

Females seem to the answer as young blokes cop to much grief when umpiring.

Edited June 3, 201411 yr by jazza

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/lost-for-words-afls-first-female-coach-peta-searle-20140602-zrulm.html

This is an extraordinary earthquake in football culture, and I think a really big step forward for the game, as it demonstrates innovation in a very reactionary culture. I for one choose to believe that this is based on merit alone and has nothing to do with the Saints recent off field shenanigans, although I'm sure it will be alluded to (and I only mention it from a devils advocate POV).

Having worked with some brilliant and brave women in traditionally male only enterprises, I don't see any reason why Searle can't be an ace coach, anyone who is able to make their dream come true against adversity is worthy of great respect.

edit: the references were included as support for the merit of having Searle as coach, with such high female participation either as audiences or otherwise compared to the other codes, it seems to me to be a natural evolution to have a woman coaching. by the by, my father (who was a fantastic kick of the football) was taught by my grandmother, not my grandfather.

ABS :

http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4156.0.55.001Feature+Article1May%202009

The Australian:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/afl-a-universal-favourite-thats-a-force-for-good/story-fn8qlm5e-1226483479334#

Impact of this across community engagement is strong. The AFL claims 42 per cent of its national television audience is female and 35 per cent of its club memberships.

I'm sure its a bit of both 'Ingeniokineticey'

but that is also a feather in her cap; that the Saints culture needs this help, that Peta can provide them.

IMO a strong move by the Sainters.

Feminists need not attack me,but retort in common sense.

An oxymoron, feminism is common sense, it simply means a fair go for everyone regardless of gender, don't believe all the horror stories they tell you about hairy armpits... People ladle so much merde onto the concept to try and confuse the feeble minded, but all it means is a fair go!

So i will be gentle with you in retort

I reckon the saints players are on some thin ice ATM, not the best time for them to start dissing the coaches, and she was in the VFL at Port Melbourne or similar, i don't think she'll be a wall flower, i'm tipping she is more than a little familiar with ignorant men! Some players will not like it, but they will get over it, these little cabals always do.

Will it be easy? of course not, now begone before i get a wet hairy female armpit to rub you on your scone.

AFL footballers struggle to listen to a coach that hasnt played seniors before,footy is littered with players who didnt want to give these non AFL blokes a go.

Unfortunately whether people like it or not,there will be an element of no trust or respect.

Im not anti female,but players will be,its dressing unfortunately.until a woman coaches a VFL side and moves through the ranks that way,its just nothing but advertising mush.

Go to your local footy club and ask the players if they would listen to a woman.

Feminists need not attack me,but retort in common sense.

Hey Jazza, something I just want to clear up. maybe you can help me.

I heard a rumour that sometime recently the top levels of Australian football became a professional environment, focused on performance, results, and competence.

According to the same rumour, that professionalism has even seeped down into the second-tier competitions, even ones not directly affiliated with the AFL itself.

Something something Port Melbourne something pull your finger out something idiot.

See also Western Bulldogs. Some guy named Brendan.

Peta Searle is an experienced, highly respected and successful coach who has managed to overcome the idiot prejudices of the boozy boof-heads Jazza celebrates (at the lowest levels of the game, it is worth noting), demand their respect and effectively driving their development.

To describe her appointment as window dressing and 'advertising mush' is just idiotic and yes, pretty obviously sexist.

An oxymoron, feminism is common sense, it simply means a fair go for everyone regardless of gender, don't believe all the horror stories they tell you about hairy armpits... People ladle so much merde onto the concept to try and confuse the feeble minded, but all it means is a fair go!

So i will be gentle with you in retort

I reckon the saints players are on some thin ice ATM, not the best time for them to start dissing the coaches, and she was in the VFL at Port Melbourne or similar, i don't think she'll be a wall flower, i'm tipping she is more than a little familiar with ignorant men! Some players will not like it, but they will get over it, these little cabals always do.

Will it be easy? of course not, now begone before i get a wet hairy female armpit to rub you on your scone.

Head coach at port melbourne?

Call it anything you want,it will not happen in our lifetime.

AFL can publicise the krap out of it,they can give a player a few bob to endorse how much the new female coach has improved his football blah blah blah.

WONT HAPPEN IN OUR LIFETIME.thats not anti female its just honest common sense.

Arabic women wont let males in the same swimming pool{in australia}mind.

AFL players wont accept a female senoir coach,end of story.

I'd love to see her demonstrate handball technique, kicking technique, tackling, bumping, contested marking and how to win a clearance.

She's a development coach. She's doing the same job Brad Miller does for us. He wasn't the most skilled but he could do all of the above.

Now I'm not saying she has to go out there and mix it with the boys because I wouldn't want George Stone going head to head with Jack Viney. But if she can show me the correct techniques for footy skills and has some thoughts on things like positioning and ball movement then I'm all for her appointment.

I'd love to see the saints film some of her coaching sessions and put them on their website so it shows everyone how she coaches.

To describe her appointment as window dressing and 'advertising mush' is just idiotic and yes, pretty obviously sexist.

Love to hear Ayres response to Jazza's views. According to the Age article a few weeks back he is a massive fan and has been very vocal about how good a coach she was at Port Melbourne.

By the by Jazza Port offered another contract but she knocked it back. Also i can't imagine many more blokey, rough clubs than Port and she thrived there and by all accounts had the full support of players, head coach and obviously the committee.. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra - if she can make it there she can make it anywhere.

Hey Jazza, something I just want to clear up. maybe you can help me.

Peta Searle is an experienced, highly respected and successful coach who has managed to overcome the [censored] prejudices of the boozy boof-heads Jazza celebrates (at the lowest levels of the game, it is worth noting), demand their respect and effectively driving their development.

Yeah,sorry to misdirect you,i never said SHE wasnt respected{sorry to write that in english}.

Dont think YOU know me but here goes,i DONT celebrate boozy boofheads at the lower levels of the game.

You have jumped on the SHIELA bashing high horse and missed the post i made nancy,its pretty simple.

yep shes the best, the greatest,we all respect her,blah blah blah.

Im happy to take a bet ,lets both put up 5,000 in a bank account for our grandkids.

Afemale wont coach at senoir level {a full season appointment}in the next 20 years?

Love to hear Ayres response to Jazza's views. According to the Age article a few weeks back he is a massive fan and has been very vocal about how good a coach she was at Port Melbourne.

By the by Jazza Port offered another contract but she knocked it back. Also i can't imagine many more blokey, rough clubs than Port and she thrived there and by all accounts had the full support of players, head coach and obviously the committee.. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra - if she can make it there she can make it anywhere.

as the senior coach at port? ayres comments didnt upset anybody,very pc.

AFL senior coach?

Head coach at port melbourne?

Call it anything you want,it will not happen in our lifetime.

AFL can publicise the krap out of it,they can give a player a few bob to endorse how much the new female coach has improved his football blah blah blah.

WONT HAPPEN IN OUR LIFETIME.thats not anti female its just honest common sense.

Arabic women wont let males in the same swimming pool{in australia}mind.

AFL players wont accept a female senoir coach,end of story.

A lifetime is a long time.

For example, it was only a lifetime ago that 'Dinky Di Aussie' women wouldn't have gotten in a swimming pool with men either, if they wished to remain respectable. Though how the gender anxieties of a minority of recent migrants from socially 'backwards' countries is relevant, I'll never know.

But I guess the issue is settled.

Jazza, as spokesperson for AFL players past, present and future, has declared that 1000 young people in 2040 will STILL be hung up about ovaries, or something. I don't know.

Yeah,sorry to misdirect you,i never said SHE wasnt respected{sorry to write that in english}.

Dont think YOU know me but here goes,i DONT celebrate boozy boofheads at the lower levels of the game.

You have jumped on the SHIELA bashing high horse and missed the post i made nancy,its pretty simple.

yep shes the best, the greatest,we all respect her,blah blah blah.

Im happy to take a bet ,lets both put up 5,000 in a bank account for our grandkids.

Afemale wont coach at senoir level {a full season appointment}in the next 20 years?

What the? Are you drunk already?

I wonder if there's anyone you owe money to about a female prime minister?

Can I just clarify what you're saying.

"Peta Searle is great but it doesn't matter because she's a woman"

"It's not me that says that, it is [insert 'silent majority myth equivalent' here], so you can't say I'm sexist, even though actually it is just me saying it"

as the senior coach at port? ayres comments didnt upset anybody,very pc.

AFL senior coach?

Ah yes, anybody saying anything good about a woman is just doing it for political correctness.

Jazz to paraphrase someone else - "whatcha talking about Wills?"

Who the heck has been talking about a woman being head coach at a senior level? Certainly not you until your last post. I read your first post on this issue again to see if i had missed something. But no.

Of course it is not likely there won't be a female head coach in the AFL in the 20 years given we are now only having our first assistant coach. But out of interest do you mean a female coach of a senior side at any level? I reckon there's a reasonable chance Peta Searle will coach a senior side in that time-frame given her experience (including now at the highest level),let alone any other women with the required skill set.

Edited June 3, 201411 yr by binman

A lifetime is a long time.

For example, it was only a lifetime ago that 'Dinky Di Aussie' women wouldn't have gotten in a swimming pool with men either, if they wished to remain respectable. Though how the gender anxieties of a minority of recent migrants from socially 'backwards' countries is relevant, I'll never know.

But I guess the issue is settled.

Jazza, as spokesperson for AFL players past, present and future, has declared that 1000 young people in 2040 will STILL be hung up about ovaries, or something. I don't know.

IF you read my first post,and i doubt you did.you would of read.

PLAYERS{not me but players}would not accept it.