When Tanya Bramwell first arrived at the Albion Football Club at the start of the year, she was simply looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead.
Yet little did she know that she was about to break a club record, becoming the first Under 12s female coach in the club’s 55-year history.
Having coached for a number of years at various football clubs, Tanya was keen to develop her coaching skills at a new level.
“Tanya has great experience coaching junior football having coached at a under 10s level and leading a group of under 11s to play finals in her last two seasons,” Albion club administrator Mal Thompson said.
While Lesley Martin holds the club record as the first female coach at the Albion Football Club in the 1990s, Thomspon said that the club is excited to have a new female coach at the helm.
“It's great to have a new face come on board to lead our juniors.
"This is Tanya's first year at the Albion Football Club and we are certainly looking forward to having her around the club in 2015 and beyond.”
With the appointment of St. Kilda assistant coach Peta Searle as the AFL’s first female coach paving the way for women in football last year, Thompson said the club was delighted to have their own female coach this season.
“I think the club and in particular our under 12 players are already warming to the appointment,” Thompson said.
“We are a very proud, family orientated club and we hope that Tanya’s enthusiasm and involvement in coaching will encourage more female coaches and players come on board.”
Replacing club president Gavan Taylor as the new under 12 coach this season, Tanya has already been busy preparing for the upcoming season, hoping to take the team to back-to-back grand final appearances.
“Tanya will certainly have a big job ahead of her after Gavan took the under 12s to the grand final last year, but we are sure she is more than capable.”
In addition to Tanya’s appointment, the club would also like to congratulate fellow coaches Julie Hedley and Trevor Day (Auskick), Ted Holden (Under 10s), Theo Nicola (Under 14s) and co-coaches Kym Taylor and Ricky Howell (Under 16s).
“Ted has been at the club for a while now a has always been involved whether it be a water boy, runner or boundary umpire, he has always put his hand up to help and is really excited to try his hand at coaching,” Thompson said.
“We would also like to welcome Theo to the club and wish him well in his role as the under 14s coach; he certainly brings a wealth of experience with him which is great to see.”
“Despite not having coached before, is fantastic to have two of our senior players in Kym and Ricky step up to the coaching ranks for the first time.
“I’m sure if they coach anywhere near the way they go about their training and senior football, then we can look forward to a great 2015.”
Round 1 of the WRFL Junior Football season will kick off after the Easter long weekend on Sunday April 12.
Last Modified on 02/03/2015 15:42