GIANTS AFLW coach Al McConnell is looking forward to doing his bit to help shape the future direction of the AFL Women’s competition after being named one of 14 members of the new AFL Women’s Competition Committee.
The committee has been established to support the on-going development of the AFLW competition and will assist the AFL Commission with the future direction of women’s football, covering areas such as the law of the game, tribunal, the Draft, list rules and player movement, fixturing, talent programs and expansion.
“I’m excited to see what it brings,” McConnell said.
“I think it’ll be great for the club to have somebody representing our interests, great to have an insight into the processes and a great development opportunity for me as well.”
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McConnell took the reins of the GIANTS AFLW side ahead of the second season of the national women’s football competition and had them in contention for a spot in the grand final until late in the season, before they ultimately finished fourth.
He said the new committee has the opportunity to shape strong foundations as the AFLW competition continues to grow.
“There’s lots of work to do to get the game to where it needs to go to, and I’m passionate about that and excited to be able to play a part,” McConnell said.
“There’s a whole lot of work to do to make the game more efficient and more effective without actually changing the game.
“All the rules and regulations around contracting and list management – there’s so many elements to this that are a moving space with a young competition in its early stages, that it’s exciting to be part of.
“The decisions that are made will be crucial to making it an efficient, effective landscape going forward, especially with expansion on the horizon.”
The AFL Women’s Competition Committee is made up of representatives from 10 clubs – comprising players, administrators and coaches – as well as the AFL Players’ Association general manager of player relations Brett Murphy, AFL general manager of football operations Steve Hocking, AFL head of women’s football Nicole Livingstone and AFL commissioner Simone Wilkie, the last of whom will chair the committee.
McConnell, who is also the director of coaching for the GIANTS’ men’s team, is one of two senior coaches on the committee, along with St Kilda’s Peta Searle.
The inaugural AFL Women’s Competition Committee Members:
Alan McConnell GWS Giants AFLW Senior Coach
Debbie Lee Western Bulldogs Women’s Football GM
Laura Kane North Melbourne Football Operations Manager
Mark Evans Gold Coast Suns CEO
Peta Searle St Kilda AFLW Senior Coach
Todd Paterson Melbourne AFLW List Manager
Phil Harper Adelaide Crows GM, Football Administration
Lauren Arnell Brisbane Lions AFLW Player
Kara Donnellan Fremantle AFLW Player
Cain Liddle Carlton CEO
Brett Murphy AFLPA General Manager Player Relations
Simone Wilkie AFL Commissioner
Steve Hocking AFL GM Football Operations
Nicole Livingstone AFL Head of Women’s Football
