This weekend heralds a huge milestone in the career of emerging coach Jeff Neumann who will make his debut with the Western Bulldogs women’s team this Sunday.
AFL Darling Downs development coordinator Neumann never saw himself forging a career behind the coaches board. Yet he has emerged as one of the leading young coaches in the country and was duly rewarded with selection as assistant coach of the 2014 Bulldogs women’s team.
The Bulldogs will face the Melbourne Demons at Etihad Stadium on Sunday morning in the marquee event of the AFL Female Football Program.
Neumann is a passionate supporter of women’s footy but admitted coaching had only piqued his interest in the past few years.
At just 24, Neumann already boasts an impressive resume having coached the under 18 Darling Downs Crows to premiership success in 2012. And just last weekend he had the chance to work alongside former Melbourne Demons ruckman Jeff White as the Queensland open women’s team beat Tasmania in Hobart.
Neumann believed the opportunity to coach within the AFL system for the Bulldogs would only help to hone his skills further. “It’s going to be really exciting to get down there and be involved at the elite level,” he said. “To be on an AFL coaching list now is fantastic, especially for someone who’s a born and bred Queenslander. Hopefully I can bring back everything I learn to help further engage and develop football out here on the Downs.”
While the women’s game may not have the same profile as the men, it is a genuine pathway to the elite level for young coaches.
The Bulldogs lost coach Peta Searle after she was appointed as development coach of the St Kilda AFL team – the first woman to take up such a position. And with the AFL working towards a women’s competition in 2020, Neumann believed his time with the Bulldogs would help him to realise his coaching ambitions.
“The pathway is right there for players and coaches and Peta is a perfect example,” he said. I want to make sure that I perform at my best down there and hopefully be retained on the Western Bulldogs coaching staff.” The match will be screened live on Fox Footy and afl.com.au
Last Modified on 08/07/2014 14:53
