Cats on the prowl as coach departs
THE Gold Coast Aussie rules women’s season may have only recently come to an end but the off-season wheeling and dealing has already begun.
Broadbeach are on the hunt for a new QFAW Division 1 senior women’s coach after 2019 mentor Beth McLaughlin made the diffi-cult decision to take up a line coaching role with the Bond University Bull Sharks’ QAFLW side.
After acting as a player coach with the Cats this season, the 26-year-old will begin as a forward line coach for the Bull Sharks in 2020 as they attempt to return to the QAFLW grand final stage after disappointingly going down by 76 points to Coorparoo in this year’s decider.
The Cats finished third on the ladder in 2019 before falling to eventual Division 1 premiers Kedron in the opening weekend of finals.
Broadbeach football operations manager Matt Littlechild said the new coach would be expected to cultivate a winning culture on and off the field.
“We want to thank Beth for her service and she’ll be missed on the field and off it,” Littlechild said.
“It’s going to be the fifth coach in five years for the club so we’re looking for someone who is dedicated and passionate for the role.
“We want them to drive high standards for the women’s program and continue to make Broadbeach a really enjoyable place to play football.”
Littlechild said the incoming mentor would also play an important role in fulfilling the Cats’ future ambitions as they strive towards a higher level of competition.
“The club’s aim is to compete in the top-tier competition (QAFLW) but we’re also currently trying to build our women’s program and have two sides running around in five years time,” he said.