Sandover Medallist and former Fremantle Docker Neil Mildenhall has been appointed as Head Coach of WA’s State Women’s side for the 2013 AFL Women’s National Championships to be held in Cairns.
Mildenhall said he was looking forward to the opportunity of coaching on the national stage and leading WA’s women into the championships.
“I’m looking forward to coaching at the top level in women’s footy and it would be great to beat the Vics at their own game,” he said.
“Since retiring I’ve been involved with a lot of development coaching and really enjoyed that area, so when the opportunity came up to coach the State Women’s side I put in for it.
“The players are very open to learning and listen well so it should be a good experience for all of us,” Mildenhall said.
The West Perth Football Club premiership player won the 1993 Sandover Medal and went on to play seven AFL games for Fremantle in the club’s inaugural season.
After retiring as a player, Mildenhall continued to be involved as West Perth Colts Coach and was an Assistant Coach for the State 18s squad in 2006.
More recently he has coached Christ Church Grammar’s First 18, been a League Assistant at South Fremantle, Colts Coach at South Fremantle and Assistant Coach with East Fremantle Women.
Mildenhall will be assisted in the State Women’s role by:
- Senior Assistant Coach – Nicole Graves (Mt Lawley A-Grade Amateur men’s Assistant Coach)
- Assistant Coaches – Martine Pearman (Head Coach Coastal Titans), Nikki Harwood (East Fremantle Women’s Head Coach), Sarah Michell (President Coastal Titans)
- Team Manager – Janet Seth (East Fremantle Team Manager)
