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Some of the current Tigerettes meet new coach Cheyne Webster (back row) at an informal pre-Christmas training session.
“There’s no better time than now to become involved with women’s footy, with such dynamic changes taking place – with the inaugural AFL Women’s competition now presenting a clear pathway for girls and women (as well as coaches) who want to progress to the elite level“.
That statement sums up the current excitement around women’s football and the attitude that new coach Cheyne Webster will bring to the group after being appointed as coach of our Women’s team in 2017.
Cheyne is well known to many Tigers supporters having played over 100 games for our affiliate club Googong Hogs back when they were known as the Harman Hogs. He was a Hogs best and fairest in 2001 and completed his playing career with Eastlake, racking up 144 games of AFL Canberra football before retiring in 2011.
A Physical Education & English Teacher at St. Mary MacKillop College (Senior Campus), Cheyne has been a high school teacher for 11 years, working both in Canberra and internationally.
Those teaching skills will hold him in good stead as he ventures in to coaching women’s football for the first time and begins working with a broad range of players – from those who are more advanced in their development and have aspirations of reaching the national women’s league, to the enthusiastic newcomers literally kicking a football for the first time.
“I will definitely bring a ‘teaching mentality’ to the playing group coaching wise – having structured plans and processes in place, as well as being organised and innovative where possible. I’m a big believer in executing core skills consistently and players having trust in each other.
“I will do my best to continue the great work already being done at the Tigers, and use my experience and knowledge of the game to further develop the list and the game style from bottom to top. I’m really confident the Women’s team has sustained success in front of them – we all now have the challenge of working both hard and together to make this a reality,” Cheyne said.
Cheyne brings with him a strong background in coaching. He is a Level 2 Nationally Accredited Coach; is a current GWS Junior Development Squad Coach & ACT Schoolboys Coach – roles he has preformed since 2015; was Eastlake Football Club Third Grade Coach in 2014 (coached the club to its first ever finals appearance in third grade); and most recently was Eastlake Football Club Second Grade Coach & First Grade Assistant Coach in 2015 & 2016.
The change in the colour of the sash on playing jumpers and the need to instruct those with the yellow sash rather than the red one should be something he is able to come to terms with very quickly, although he admitted his cupboard is full of black and red gear that will now have to be replaced with black and yellow.
“There is a strong and talented list at Queanbeyan, and I’m really excited to develop women’s footy from youth programs moving into the senior ranks. My role is really about working with the players to ensure they improve their core skills, develop both individually and as team in having a better understanding of the game – however most importantly empowering the players to enjoy the challenges that AFL footy brings.
“I’m looking forward to working with David Corcoran and Paul Campbell, and the whole coaching group at the Tigers. I’ll be working on keeping both men’s and women’s footy connected – which breeds a really positive and inclusive culture.
“The growth of women’s football nationally is phenomenal, and the hype around the future of the sport is something that I want to harness and foster at Queanbeyan,” Cheyne said.
Cheyne will spend time over the Christmas-New Year break meeting with the leadership group of the Tigerettes and planning the 2017 season.
Pre-season for the Women’s team is likely to kick off on Tuesday 24 January when the men’s teams also resume, but this will be confirmed closer to the date.
We welcome Cheyne into the black and yellow colours and are confident he’ll continue the success of our Tigerettes.