TSL CLUB APPOINTS FIRST FEMALE ASSISTANT COACH

LAUNCESTON Football Club has made Tasmanian State League history by appointing the league’s first ever female assistant coach.

Deb Reynolds will join the Blues for the 2018 season, bringing with her a wealth of football knowledge that she has developed from her role heading East Launceston’s football program. The Blues’ new assistant coach has a basketball background, but since making the switch to football, she has stamped her name among football circles by being awarded the 2016 AFL Tasmania coach of the year.

Reynolds said she was looking forward to working with the Blues and taking the next step in her coaching career.

“I am excited to work at the highest level at football in Tasmania with the professionalism at that level that is showcased by the Launceston Football Club and by [coach] Sam Lonergan, himself,” she said.

“Sam and Launceston have provided me with a wonderful opportunity to further my coaching and learning, and I look forward to it.”

Lonergan says Reynolds has the ability to excel as a coach and said that he’s excited to have her at the club.

“Deb is a fantastic individual, she certainly has an appetite to want to learn and to be an influential coach,” he said.

“She has got an opportunity with our senior boys for her to pave a different pathway for her to get to the top.”

It will be the second time that Lonergan and Reynolds have joined forces, after the Launceston coach mentored his new deputy while Reynolds was undertaking her level two coaching course this year.

“We formed a really good relationship through that mentoring program,” Lonergan said. “I’ve gained a good insight on what she is capable of doing and also a good insight into how good she could potentially be.”