Tara Murray
New Woodend-Hesket women’s coach Scott Caton is keen to take the side to the next level in the Riddell District Football League next year.
Caton has been appointed the Hawks coach as they look ahead to their second season of having a women’s side.
The side made finals in their first year, which was a good starting point according to Caton.
“Last year was a good first introduction,” he said. “It was run by some of the parents to get it up and running.
“We want to get it up and running more and put some more resources behind it.”
Caton has been playing reserves at the club for the past few years but previously held various coaching roles in different leagues.
He said having seen women’s programs at other clubs, he’s seen what they can bring to the club and community as a whole.
“I’ve done some previous assistant coach work in the WRFL [Western Region Football League],” he said.
“They had a women’s side at the club I was involved in, Manor Lakes. You would see the girls at training and it was really good to have them at the club.
“The opportunity arose [at Woodend] and I put my hand up to help them try and move up a few spots.”
Caton said he was hoping to increase playing numbers for next season, to take the pressure of the young playing group they have.
Many players were doubling up playing youth girls and senior football each week to ensure they had enough numbers.
“They are a young side,” he said.
“I want to try and build the side and bolster with a bit more experience. The older heads take the pressure off a lot of the younger side which can get you a long way.
“A little bit of life experience can help in the key moments. I was to get them from being a finalist to a premiership contender.”
Caton said they would look to get a few sessions in before the Christmas break and then come back strongly after it.
The Hawks are having a meet the coach and have a kick night this Wednesday at the Racecourse Reserves from 6-7pm.
“We want to get in some sessions and get as many players down as possible,” he said.
The club in the announcement said it thinks Caton will bring great energy to the women’s coaching role and will help the club to continue to integrate women’s footy as part of the club moving forward.
It also thanked outgoing coach Colin Bromley for leading the side this year.
