ACT Football Federation (Capital Football) is leading the way in supporting female coaches and leaders in sport. At its season launch earlier this month, the progressive organisation welcomed twelve women into the elite female coach scholarship program and seven women into its mentoring and on-going development (MODeLS) program, and announced the appointment of Rachel Harrigan as the new President of the Federation –the first female to hold such a position in any Australian Football Federation.

Capital Football was able to develop the MODeLS program with the support of a $5,000 grant as well as a $10,000 grant for the elite female coach scholarship program– provided through the Sports Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women program, a joint initiative of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Office for Women. The twelve coaches and seven mentees selected by Capital Football as future leaders in their sport include a number of coaches, club officials and former players – one of whom, Amy Kilpatrick, was lured back to the sport as a result of the grants and scholarships program.

As a young coach, Kilpatrick had reached an elite level, coaching representative U14 teams; but with mounting study, work and financial commitments, she was unable to continue. Upon hearing of the new coach scholarship program being offered by Capital Football, Kilpatrick has returned with renewed drive to pursue an elite coaching career.

‘Knowing that a strong coaching program is in place and the resources and people are there to support my training and development certainly factored in my decision to get back into serious coaching again.’

Asked about her five year goal in the sport, Kilpatrick, a Solicitor with the Human Rights Commission responded, ‘I’m open to where my skills are most suited, but I’d certainly like to work with the Canberra United team.’

Capital Football CEO Heather Reid is proud of the new coaching, mentoring and development programs and the pathways her organisation is making available to the skilled and ambitious women in her sport.

‘While we’re lucky to have some excellent women mentors in our football program we’ve also looked to other sports – such as hockey – to find people with the right skills and experience to help our women reach their potential.’

The 2011–12 round of Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women are now open – applications close 29 April 2011.