The East Fremantle Women’s Football Club has made two major appointments leading into the 2018 season; former Collingwood AFLW coach Nikki Harwood will be the Sharks’ Head Coach for the 2018 Season and previous Head Coach Steph Walding will be the Football Manager for the Club.
Nikki ‘Webbo’ Harwood is recognised as one of the top female coaches in the country and is well known at the Sharks, having played and coached at the Club since 2006. Nikki has devoted countless hours to the development of women’s football in WA, in coaching and administration roles. She was recently recognised for her achievements when she was awarded Life Membership of the WAWFL.
Sharks President Kate Argent stated ‘It is exciting to have someone of Webbo’s calibre at the helm again. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our players to be coached by someone who has been in the AFLW system”
Nikki is delighted to be back at the helm of the Club stating; “the East Fremantle Women’s Football Club is on the rise and I’m honoured to be given this opportunity once again to influence this very talented group of players. AFLW is the ultimate aim for most players so our coaches and support staff will be ensuring our players experience AFLW standards and professionalism so that their chances of getting drafted are higher and their transition to AFLW life is seemless. “
The Club’s 2017 Head Coach, Steph Walding will take on the newly created role of Football Manager.
“Steph’s probably the most over qualified person we could imagine for this role and we are extremely lucky to have her.” commented Kate Argent on Steph’s appointment
“This is an exciting development in the progression of our Club and a key part of how we plan to provide a better experience for our players and volunteers.
Steph will work closely with our Player Development Manager Julie Nichols to ensure we reach professional standards in football development and player management.”
As Football Manager, Steph’s key responsibilities will be to coordinate all off field football activities for the Clubs teams to ensure that all players and off field staff are provided with the highest level of support to enable them to compete and perform at the highest level.
Steph said that she is very excited about the new role; “It's something I'm very passionate about. The role of Football Manager will give an extra layer of support to our coaches to allow them to further develop their own skills and knowledge, helping the Sharks to continue our record of developing coaches as well as players.
In partnership with EFFC we're working to bridge the gap from the WAWFL to AFLW for both our players and coaches and raise our professional standards. “
In commenting on Nikki’s appointment as head coach, Steph added; “We're rapt to have Nikki back as senior coach. She's level three accredited and was the midfield coach at Collingwood last season. Unfortunately her work commitments meant that she couldn't take up that position again, however the good news for us is she's accepted the role of head coach for 2018”
Nikki Harwood’s Coaching Highlights
- 2017 – Midfield Coach, Collingwood
- 2015 – Forward Scout East Fremantle, WAFL
- 2015 – Assistant Coach, Western Bulldogs Women’s Team, Women’s AFL Exhibition Match
- 2014 – Co-Senior Coach Western Bulldogs Women’s Team, Women’s AFL Exhibition Match
- 2014 – Senior Coach WA Indigenous All Stars South, Nicky Winmar Carnival
- 2014-2015 – Senior Coach WA Female High Performance Talent Academy
- 2013 – Assistant Coach Melbourne FC Women’s Team, Women’s AFL Exhibition match
- 2013 – Assistant Coach WA Women’s Team
- 2011-2013 – Senior Coach East Fremantle, WA Women’s Football League (Premiers 2011)
- 2012 – Assistant Coach National Female High Performance Academy
- 2012 – Senior Coach Women’s Indigenous All-Stars, Yorga Koodjal Kadadjiny Match
- 2012 – Assistant Coach WA U18 Youth Girls Team
- 2010 – Assistant Coach WA U18 Youth Girls Team2004
- 2004 – Senior Coach Southern Thunder, WA Women’s Football League
Steph Walding- Selected Football Experience
- 205 Senior State League Games, 2 AFL Exhibition Matches, 5 x WA State Team, All Australian 2009
- EF Captain (2009, 2011-2012, 2014)
- EFWFC Head Coach 2008, 2015-2017
- EFWFC President 2011-2015
- East Fremantle Football Club Marketing & Football Development Officer 2007-2008
- East Perth District Football Development Officer 2008-2010
- WA Football Commission Community Development Coordinator 2011-2015
- WA Football Commission Community Programs Coordinator 2015-2016
- East Perth District WAFL Development Squad Manager 2008-2009 (males)
Last Modified on 26/11/2017 23:02