Game Changers With Energy: Clune’s Off Field Contribution

“Celebrating Women Leading The Way”

Over the next few weeks, ATCO, alongside WA Football, are powering up a series of stories celebrating some of the many outstanding female figures throughout our great game.

Zoe Clune is making a difference at West Perth as the Women’s Player Welfare Manager, a role she has embraced.

“This is my second season at the club, and I studied Chaplaincy/ Youth Mental Health and worked as a High School Chaplain for many years,” Clune said.

“I am also the club Chaplain for the W program, and the two roles have similar hats so to speak, with some different tasks attached to each title but most people just refer to it as Wellbeing or Welfare.”

Clune outlined her week at the Falcons.

“I am available for players and staff to reach out to me and chat about something they may be struggling with on or off the field,” she said.

“This is usually via the phone, at a café or the football club.

“I attend training sessions so players can engage impromptu and a less formal meeting if required.

“We have an ongoing Wellbeing Check In via an App in the same way they are reporting injuries, soreness and sleep to medical staff.

“If anything is flagged in this, I will reach out to the player.

“I meet with players during the week to help them with their on-field mindset work, routines and off field goal setting.

“On game day I am on the bench to help where needed.

“This is often in the mindset space, and how to get their head back in the game if required, or sometimes the unfortunate need to be there during serious injury.

“I like to add value to the W program in any way I can, guided by needs and proactive ideas from players and coaching staff.”

A trained Critical Incident Response Chaplain, Clune believes earning the trust of those at the club is a priority.

“Welfare is clearly a growing space within football,” Clune said.

“It has been around for a long time, and many clubs have invested in having off field support.

“Recently it appears to have a stronger focus and investment, and I think the stigma around asking for help is diminishing so people feel like they can reach out to someone for support, so clubs are making sure they have someone available.”

Like an injury, Clune understands her work can vary from player to player.

“At West Perth, coaches and players have a clear understanding about my role and what I can and can’t do,” she said.

“If you have an ankle injury, you are helped and assessed by medical staff who may refer you to a doctor who will treat your injury and collaborate with physios on a return to play.

“Players who see me with what I deem an issue that needs to be referred to an outside agency for further help, I do that and walk the journey with them.

“Just like the Club Physiotherapist isn’t performing the ankle surgery, I am not diagnosing or treating serious mental health conditions.

“Having a trusted person within the club to help players access that help is important.

“The Wellbeing person can be the bridge needed or can recognise that a player may be off their baseline.”

The satisfaction of helping a player of staff member through challenging times is a major reward for Clune.

“I love to see players overcome obstacles,” she explained.

“Often it takes a bit of work to identify the reason they are feeling or performing a particular way then working out how to overcome it.

“Reflecting back with the player about how far they have come, and how they are responding to a problem is a reward for me.

“One of the things I like most about my role is working with a player during the week about their mindset activation/reactivation during a game.

“Each player has different activations, some verbal, some physical, some simple cues that can help lift their game if required.”

The mother of two works part-time at Warwick Senior High School, starting there this year after 15 years at Wanneroo Secondary College.

“My role at Warwick Senior High School has given me the opportunity to be involved in an exciting step for women’s football in the area,” she said.

“Warwick SHS has a long-standing and highly successful Specialist AFL Program, and in 2027 we will be launching dedicated female classes within the program.

“The aim is to provide an elite all-girls training environment that complements students’ club and talent pathway commitments, while supporting their academic aspirations.

“The program is designed to help student-athletes balance their education and football development, with four football-specific classes each week.

“These classes incorporate both practical and theoretical components, including skill development, game education, strength and conditioning, recovery practices, and access to specialised training equipment.

“Students will also receive athlete-specific education in areas such as nutrition, hydration, performance preparation, and overall wellbeing.

“It’s an initiative I’m incredibly passionate about, as it creates greater opportunities for young female footballers to develop both on and off the field while pursuing excellence in their education and sport.”

While she’s never played footy, her love for the game is indisputable.

A passionate West Coast Eagles fan, Clune coaches her daughter’s team at Wanneroo Junior FC and manages the State Schoolboys & Schoolgirls 14/15s (School Sport WA) who travel to the National Championships.

“When West Perth offered the Welfare position it was the right time to blend my training and experience in wellbeing with my passion for football,” Clune revealed.

“I really enjoy the role and feel lucky to be a part of a program that values female football and the participation of women.”

The WAFL and WAFLW competitions will hold their annual Think Mental Health Round this weekend, a Healthway initiative where football clubs across the State are encouraged to educate players in recognising and nurturing mental health.

ATCO are the official naming rights partner for the 2026 WAFLW Season.

Watch all ATCO WAFLW matches live and free on YouTube @WAFLOfficial and head to wafl.com.au to purchase tickets for upcoming games.