Claremont pair Rogers, Pugh reflect on Women in Coaching Month

Women’s football pioneer Charmaine Rogers was blown away when told how many when she was told about the number of women in coaching roles across the WAFLW and Rogers Cup competitions.

The WAFL Life Member and Claremont Hall of Famer has been supporting the progression of women in Australian Rules Football since 1996 and has undertaken various roles within the WA Women’s Football League and WAFLW for the past three decades.

Rogers said it was “amazing” to hear that she was one of a whopping 55 women’s coaches across the ATCO WAFLW and HART Sport Rogers Cup competitions – including eight at Claremont – this season.

“Wow, no I didn’t know that number,” Rogers said at the recent Women in Coaching Month celebration at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, where women’s coaches from around the competition gathered.

“That is amazing.”

The theme for this year’s Women in Coaching Month is Keep Leading Keep Coaching.

Rogers, who these days is Claremont’s Rogers Cup forwards coach after several other roles at the club including head coach, assistant coach and captain, highlighted the importance of Women in Coaching Month for shining a spotlight on the great work women’s coaches are doing across the State.

There are 55 women in coaching roles across the WAFLW and Rogers Cup competitions in 2026. Credit: DG Media

“As you can see on social media, there’s still descent amongst community about females in football so a thing like Women in Coaching Month can shine a light on it and open the space up is critical,” Rogers explained.

Rogers detailed just how much has changed since her early days playing for Innaloo Piranhas to these days being involved in a nine-team WAFLW competition.

“Heaps,” she said.

“From struggling to find somewhere to train and play to being welcomed with open arms, that type of scenario.

“It’s hard to describe the difference. It’s attitude, it’s access to resources, it’s inclusivity, it’s all those types of things, there’s been a huge shift.

“Coaches, administrators, just females in the game generally, the increase has been fantastic.

“You speak to the broader football community and there’s only positive feedback that you get about that, people saying it makes their club a better place to be around.”

Fremantle star Laura Pugh is only at the beginning of her coaching journey at Claremont as the back-line matchday coach.

Pugh has plenty of AFLW playing experience, tallying 74 appearances for the Dockers since making her debut during the 2019 season.

The 32-year-old utility spoke about juggling WAFLW coaching commitments at the Tigers with pre-season training at the Dockers.

“It’s been really incredible to be down at Claremont,” Pugh said.

“It’s a great opportunity that Jack (head coach Jack Schwarze) has provided me to be able to balance playing footy and coaching.

“Even watching the space he leads for people like Claire (injured star Claire Ortlepp) to be head coach against East Perth, it’s just an amazing environment that I can learn to get some of my coaching skills up and about.”

As for advice about how to get started in coaching?

“Just have a go,” Pugh said.

“As you’re playing, you can learn so much on the go and get really good mentors around you.

“Even standing next to Charmy right now, it’s a bloody privilege that she led the way to get our competition to where we are now.

“Coaching is so much fun.”

“Don’t think that you haven’t got what it takes,” Rogers added.

“Just jump in, you’ll find allies no wherever you go so have a go.”

Stay tuned to WA Football’s website and social media channels for more features on inspiring women’s coaches in the month of July as part of Women in Coaching Month.

Find out more about how you can get into coaching here