Kate’s Challenge of Coaching and PlayingWednesday, July 2, 2025 - 8:39 AM

Former West Coast Eagles AFLW player Kate Orme is a leading advocate for the Women in Coaching Month.

Female coaches are being highlighted throughout July by WA Football, with Orme at the forefront of promoting how women can play a greater role.

“Like any opportunity to raise awareness, Women in Coaching Month is an important opportunity to celebrate women coaching our great game,” Orme said.

“As opportunities continue to grow for women in coaching, it's important to celebrate our progress so far and set new targets for the development of women coaching footy in WA.”

Orme, who played seven games for the Eagles in the AFLW, has enjoyed a successful career in the WAFLW, including winning two premierships with Claremont and Captaining WA on two occasions.

“After finishing up playing AFLW, I found the knowledge and expertise of the game I had were super valuable to share,” she said.

“In sharing my knowledge with my WAFLW teammates, I could have a more significant impact on our team's growth and performance than by my own abilities, which led me to contribute further in this space.

“There are more role models in women's coaching than ever, between Daisy Pearce and Lisa Webb in our own backyard, to world-class coaches like Emma Hayes and Kara Lawson.

“Since starting footy, I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by strong female role models including Charmaine Rogers, Amanda Robertson, Rachel Asquith, Ellie Lambkin and WA Football Hall of Fame inductee Jan Cooper.”

Orme’s recent football journey includes being appointed coach of the WAFC U16’s female program.

“The 16s were a tremendously talented and seriously impressive group,” Orme said.

“Their hunger to learn from our stellar coaching panel made the program enjoyable for staff and players alike.

“The coaches (including myself) had an opportunity to develop and our athletes are better prepared for both senior footy in WA and the pathway to AFLW in the State 18s program.

“Every member of our coaching panel had played AFLW so the energy, knowledge and diversity our staff brought to the program is likely unrivalled across the country.” 

Kate is continuing to represent the Tigers, with the added responsibility of being the side’s midfield coach.

“It's challenging because my role as an outside winger demands a high level of communication to my teammates, which makes the transition easier,” she said.

“As a player, I'm able to add impact right away on field.

“Our head coach Jack Schwarze has seen the value of this type of leadership and our backline coach Claire Ortlepp is also a playing coach.

“Once I figured out I could put my mouthguard in one sock and whistle in the other, coaching at training became easier too!”

The 36 year-old is optimistic about the new generation of female coaches emerging in WA.

“Certainly more of my teammates are coaching than ever before, whether it's in player-coaching roles at WAFLW level like Claire Ortlepp, 16s or 18s assistant roles like Tildi Sergeant or Futures roles like Jayme Harken, Belinda Smith and Aine Tighe, a new wave of female coaches is coming,” Orme said.

“Female coaches that have experience at the highest levels of football, who have played AFLW and or won WAFLW Premierships are making contributions to the game.

“These women are highly intelligent, passionate football people who live the female athlete experience and are player-first coaches.

“Their strengths are diverse and their teaching methods unique, but their abilities in building relationships with their players and staff are first-class and I've no doubt a new generation of successful female teams and footballers will follow.”