After a game late in the season for the Animals Thirds team, the coaches would meet to shake hands with the opposition coach approaching the wrong person. When corrected the unnamed opposition coach would exclaim “A woman coach?! I’ve never seen that before!”
He better get used to seeing it.
Gideon Sands will lead the Thirds full time in 2022, and in doing so will be looking to continue on the work she started in the second half of the 2021 season.
Sands’ appointment was announced by Club President Greg Davis on Presentation Night, and was met with warm regard, and for Sands herself, the feeling is mutual.
“Really excited to come back to the club and see everyone again after the shortened 2021 season. Seeing the thirds group work together last year and improve together as a group has me really excited to see that growth continue into the 2022 season”
A tough 2021 season for the 3rds saw them only claim one win, a home against La Trobe Uni.
However when you look past the wins and losses, the growth the side showed at the back end of the year under the guidance of Sands showed there’s promise for more W’s in the new year.
Gideon begin 2021 under the tutelage of Senior Mens Coach Ian Ledder, something she plans to use to her advantage in 2022.
“Having spent the first portion of the last season learning from senior coaches at the club, and the lads themselves, I am really excited to continue to learn from them and apply that learning and knowledge into my coaching.”
Pre-Season will begin on Monday at Bennettswood Reserve for all grades, with Sands joining the rest of the Men’s coaching panel looking to improve on a promising 2021.