New Bundoora women’s football coach Ian Cole believes an emphasis on development will be his key focus ahead of the 2022 season.
Having spent more than three decades involved in the Auskick program, as well as serving as an assistant coach for the Bulls’ women’s side in recent seasons, Cole has stepped up to take on the head coaching role for the upcoming campaign.
He takes the reins from Amy Callaway, who led the club as playing coach over the past two years.
It is Cole’s first senior coaching role with the Bulls, but he brings with him plenty of experience from his time at Yulong Reserve.
“I’ve been with Bundoora for 24 years now. I’m a life member. I’ve supported staff, run water, helped the trainers, that sort of thing. I’m up to 720 games now with Bundoora seniors,” Cole told NFNL.org.au.
Cole has also been involved in the local football scene for 34 years, teaching fundamental football skills to newcomers to the game.
“I’ve developed an elite program and it’s well known around the area. We’re teaching the children everything they need to know,” he said.
Cole has won prestigious coaching awards from Carlton and the Northern Region Coaches Association over the years, as well as the Recognition of Service to Football award from AFL Victoria.
Cole said his approach to coaching will be different to other senior coaches due to his previous experience at Auskick level
“(Some coaches) when players come to the side, he sees what he’s got and he works his team around that,” he said.
“I’m the opposite. I’m a development coach. I’ll teach the girls, let them develop and teach the skills.”
Bundoora was set to play in its first Division 1 Women’s finals series last year after finishing the home and away season in eighth place. However, the season ended prematurely due to Melbourne’s Covid-lockdown.
Cole revealed that it will be a new-look Bundoora outfit that takes the field in 2022, with many of the existing playing group moving on from Yulong Reserve.
He said any new player looking to play football in 2022 was welcome to join Bundoora for the upcoming season.
“We’ve had a number of retirements this year so we’re short on numbers,” he said.
“We’ve advertised on social media, but if any girl 16 or over wants to come down and play with us, I can guarantee that I’ll get them all the time they need to teach them how to play footy.”
