The AFL, in partnership with global resource company BHP, has announced that nominations are open for the 2025 BHP Community Coach of the Year award.
Now in its fifth year and fittingly opening during Women’s Coaching Month which is also supported by BHP, the BHP Community Coach of the Year award acknowledges individuals who are making exceptional contributions to advance grassroots footy for women and girls.
As AFLW celebrates its milestone 10th season of the competition, it’s passionate people at grassroots level who have played an instrumental role in the development and progression of women and girls’ football in their communities.
Since the first season of AFLW kicked off in 2017, women and girls participation has grown from 42,000 to more than 125,000 – up nearly 200 per cent – including the creation of more than 2,500 new women's and girls’ teams since 2016.
All accredited coaches at community Australian football clubs across Australia are eligible for nomination, with submissions required to detail how the nominee is making an exceptional contribution to advance grassroots footy for women and girls.
Nominations are open and close on Monday 15 September at 11:59PM, with the winner to be announced at the 2025 W Awards in November.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION FOR THE 2025 BHP COMMUNITY COACH OF THE YEAR PROGRAM
AFL Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld thanked BHP for its investment in progressing women and girls’ participation in community football.
“BHP’s continued support for the development and progression of women and girls’ football is evidenced by the nearly 200 per cent increase in participation since the AFLW first launched,” Mr Auld said.
“Initiatives like the BHP Community Coach of the Year award provide recognition for those driving women and girls football at community clubs across the country, and I thank BHP for its ongoing investment in growing the game for women and girls.”
Quote attributed to BHP President Australia, Geraldine Slattery:
"Community coaches shape futures, on and off the field. At BHP, we’re proud to honour those who lead with heart, show up rain, hail or shine, and make sport a place where everyone belongs.
“The BHP Community Coach of the Year Award celebrates the mentors driving grassroots football for women and girls, building stronger, more inclusive communities through their passion and dedication.”
About the program
The BHP Community Coach of the Year is a key component of the partnership between the AFL and BHP, which started in 2020 and was extended by a further three years in 2023.
The program builds on the AFL and BHP’s shared ambitions to improve opportunity and equality in both business and sport and will focus on enhancing the impact in gender diversity. The partnership sees the global resources company continue as a Women's Coaching Partner and Inclusive Community Club Partner.
BHP has naming rights and presenting partner status of several key coaching programs including:
- The BHP AFL Women's Coaching Academy
- BHP Community Coach of the Year Award
- AFLW Player to Coach Programs
- She Can Coach National Program, presented by BHP
- Women's Coaching Month, presented by BHP
In 2022, the AFL committed $5 million over three years in new investment to fund phase one of the Women and Girls Action Plan to drive more opportunities for women and girls across playing, coaching, umpiring and administering. The plan is a key part of the AFL's commitment to reach our aim set out in the Women’s Football Vision of equal participation and representation across all levels of community football by 2030.
As part of the AFL’s commitment to the Women and Girls Action Plan, the AFL is striving to have women and girls make up 40 per cent of all accredited coaches by 2030, with the second phase of the plan to be released later this year.
Previous winners of the BHP Community Coach of the Year:
2024: Malcolm Hales - Arnhem Crows Football Club, Big Rivers Football League (NT)
2023: Kellie Nolan - Maroubra Saints Junior Football Club, AFL Sydney Juniors (NSW)
2022: Natalie Pribil - Beaumaris Junior Football Club, South Metro Junior Football League (Vic)
2021: Rebecca Ticli – MCC, Victorian Amateur Football Association (Vic)