Former Essendon captain Tim Watson says he believes a female AFL senior coach is likely to become a reality within the next 5-10 years, declaring the idea is gaining serious consideration.
St Kilda currently employs Peta Searle as an assistant coach, having previously been a five-time premiership winning coach at the Darebin Falcons, and a senior assistant to Gary Ayres at VFL club Port Melbourne.
There are also two female senior coaches in the AFLW – Bec Goddard (Adelaide) and Michelle Cowan (Fremantle).
“I would’ve thought five years ago the possibility of seeing a woman coach in the AFL was next to zero,” Watson admitted on SEN Breakfast.
“Right now I would say it’s a strong possibility within the next decade that we will see a woman coaching in the AFL – a senior AFL coach.
“That’s how quickly this is moving, which is not a bad thing. I think it’s a great thing.”
Asked whether NBA players would embrace a female head coach, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James says if they have the knowledge, they would be welcomed with open arms.
"I mean, if she knows what she's doing, we'll love it," James told ESPN.
“At the end of the day, basketball ... it's not about male or female. You know the game, you know the game."
