WA Trio Join Coach Your Way

Three of Western Australia’s rising coaching talents stepped onto the national stage as part of the AFL’s Coach Your Way Program.

Charlie Thomas of Subiaco, Bianca Glenville of East Perth, and South Fremantle’s Nat Szelid joined 25 aspiring coaches from across the country.

Each of them was eager to grow, connect, and expand their coaching toolkit.

Held over three immersive days in Melbourne, the course brought participants face‑to‑face with some of the industry’s most respected leaders.

They explored personal leadership with Andi Pert, sharpened communication skills under the guidance of Carol Fox, gained rare insights into football department operations from St Kilda’s General Manager of AFLW, and dissected game strategy alongside Melbourne AFLW Assistant Coach Shae Sloane.

For many, it was an invaluable glimpse behind the curtain of elite‑level coaching and a chance to learn not just the “what” but the “why” behind high‑performance environments.

For the three WA representatives, the experience resonated deeply.

They spoke about the power of connecting with like‑minded women from around the nation, and the importance of nurturing both leadership strength and personal authenticity.

Coaching in the WAFLW and with Thomas bringing additional AFLW experience they each offered meaningful reflections on how their unique journeys shape the way their messages land, and how they hope to elevate the players they guide.

Reflecting on the weekend, Szelid described what it meant to be involved.

“The opportunity to not only learn about football operations and the tactical side of the game but also focus on ourselves as coaches and individuals, and understand our core strengths, was incredibly insightful,” Szelid said.

Thomas echoed that sentiment, declaring what she took away from the program.

“The three-day workshop opened my eyes to the different ways of coaching and leadership that I am excited to implement as both a player and a coach.”

Together, their stories paint a picture of three women not just developing as coaches, but shaping the future of the game one lesson, one connection, one breakthrough at a time.

If you are interested in coaching, register TODAY at https://afl.androgogic.com.au/login/index.php