The Darebin Women’s Sports Club are excited to announce the following team of coaches on board for season 2016
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach – James McConnell
Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach – Katie Brennan
Senior Head Coach – Jane Lange
Senior Assistant Coach – Emma Kerry
Senior Reserves Coach – Grant Hammond
Youth Girls AFL Coach – Elise Casamento
Coaching Coordinator – Richard Dal Pos
Jane Lange – Senior Head Coach
Football experience:
*Has played AFL since 2007 and has been an integral part of every premiership in that time.
*Represented Victoria as a player for several years in the state league
*VWFL league leading goal kicker
Coaching experience:
*Victorian State Team – Assistant
*VWFL Academy
*3 x Western Bulldogs – Assistant Coach
*AFL Victorian Women’s football team
Emma Kerry – Senior Assistant Coach
Football experience:
2016 will mark Emma’s 12th year involved in women’s football, 10 of which have been at Darebin.
* 2005 – 2006: Played seniors at St Albans Spurs
* 2007 – 2012: Played seniors at Darebin – 4 premierships & 2 runner ups.
* 2013 – 2015: Assistant Coach to Richard Dal Pos – 3 premierships
Prior to playing AFL Emma was a basketballer, playing in the CBA & ABA for the Broadmeadows Broncos.
Grant Hammond – Senior Reserves Coach
Coaching Experience:
*Darebin Falcons AFL Reserves Coach 2014
*Fitzroy FC various roles including Vice President, Coaching Coordinator (2011-present)
*Coached Colts U17 (FJFC) 2006
*Coached West Coburg (EDFL) = 2 years Reserves Coach/Assistant Senior Coach (2001/2002)
*Coached Melbourne Uni Reds/Fitzroy = 3 years Reserves and 3 years Seniors (1995 – 2000)
Fun fact: Grant has played over 250 games!
Elise Casamento – Youth Girls AFL Coach
Qualifications:
*Bachelor Exercise & Health Science 2015
*Youth Coaching Level 1 course
*Junior Coaching course
Playing experience:
*Darebin Falcons AFL Reserves player 2014, 2015
*Darebin Falcons AFL Youth Girls player 2010-2013, (Captain 2013, Co-captain 2012)
Coaching experience:
*Darebin Falcons AFL Youth Girls Coach 2015 (Runner up Premiers)
*Darebin Falcons AFL Youth Girls Assistant Coach 2014 (Premiers)
*Future endeavours include completing a Masters of Teaching through 2016-2017
Richard Dal Pos – AFL Coaching Coordinator
Qualifications:
*Level 2 AFL Coach
Experience:
*Senior AFL Coach Darebin Falcons 2012-2015 – (Premiers 2013, 2014, 2015)
*Youth Girls AFL Coach Darebin Falcons 2010-12 – (Premiership held 3 years)
*Various Coaching roles within AFL, NFL, State Squad, etc from 2005 – 2011
*Trainer, Runner, etc 2004 and prior
Recognitions:
*2010 – Nominated Youth coach of the year Northern
*2007 – VAFA U19 Coach of the month
*2007 – Nominated VAFA U19 coach of the year
*2006 – YJFL Colts Coach of the Year
*2001 – 10 yr service to the AFL Auskick Program
James McConnell – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Qualifications:
*Bachelor of Exercise Science – Victoria University
*Masters of High Performance Sport – ACU – Current
Experience:
*Coburg Football Club – High Performance Manager/Strength & Rehabilitation Coach
*Melbourne Ice – Strength & Conditioning Coach
*Ice Hockey Australia – Women’s, Men’s, Youth – Athlete Performance Manager
Fun fact: James is a keen gymnast
Katie Brennan – Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
Qualifications:
*3rd Year Exercise and Sport Science – ACU
*Qualified Personal Trainer
*Strength & Conditioning
*Level 1 AFL Coach
*Owner – kb.performance
*Head Strength & Conditioning South East Bushrangers Under 14s, 16s Boys
*Head Strength & Conditioning QLD Under 18s Youth Girls
*kb.performance Athlete Development Team and Preseason Programs – AFLQ, AFL Tas
*AFLQ Female Development Officer
Player accolades:
*Susan Alberti Best Womens Team Player 2015
*3 x All Australian
*Drafted/ Retained Player Western Bulldogs 2013-2015
*VWFL Debbie Lee Medalist 2013
*VWFL Best and Fairest Runner Up 2014
*Darebin B&F runner up 2014, 2015
*Darebin leading goal kicker 2014, 2015
*Darebin Premiership Player 2013-2015
*Vic State Team 2013/2015
*Best on ground 2013 Nationals Grand Final
Aspiring to open a holistic high performance centre dedicated to female athletes