Cowan appointed as Fremantle women’s coach

Former WAFL Assistant coach Michelle Cowan has been appointed senior coach of Fremantle Football Club’s team in the AFL’s new national women’s league.

Cowan was the first female in Australia to coach at a state level in 2004 as a WAFL assistant at West Perth and more recently spent time as an assistant coach at South Fremantle from 2013-2015.

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said Cowan was a standout choice to coach the club’s new women’s team, one of eight sides in the national league which is scheduled to start in 2017.

“It’s a very exciting development for the club to have the inaugural WA team in the new national women’s league,” Rosich said.

“We set a premium on securing both a high quality person and experienced coach for what is a crucial role, in the first instance to get the team up and running and for the team’s future success in the longer-term.

“Michelle was the standout candidate for the position of senior coach of our women’s team. Among her many attributes, including coaching experience, knowledge of the game and people management skills, is her proven ability to attract and retain players.”

Cowan said she was excited to be a part of the Fremantle Football club moving forward with the national women’s league.



“Women have been playing the game for over 100 years now and it’s great that we now have a complete pathway and girls get the opportunity to represent an AFL club,” she said.



“It’s a big thing, and I’m really grateful for (AFL CEO) Gillon McLachlan’s leadership on this and making it happen sooner rather than later.



“It’s a really exciting time for the AFL.”

Michelle Cowan

• Head coach Melbourne FC women’s team, 2013 to 2016
• Senior coach WA open women’s team, 2015
• Assistant coach WAFL senior and reserves teams South Fremantle, 2013 to 2015
• Senior coach WA youth girls, 2013 and 2014
• WA coach of the year – 2014 Sports Industry Awards
• 2013 AFL Football Woman of the Year
• Assistant coach, WAFL senior and reserves teams West Perth, 2004 to 2005
• First woman to coach football at State level, 2004
• WA-based scout and match analyst for Geelong FC, 2000 to 2001