If there was one word to describe the Wattle Park Amateurs Football Club’s women’s team since its inception, “rollercoaster” is often one that springs to mind. From their beginning in 2018, it’s no secret the Animals have unfortunately struggled, but with a name change providing the perfect opportunity to start afresh, the side has their fingers crossed they’ve turned the page. Or if things go to plan, started a whole new book, with the signing of a brand-new coach to hopefully kickstart their on-field success, and continue the strong off-field foundations they’ve already built.
It is with great pleasure that the Club announces Mel Dell’Olio as the women’s head coach for the 2023 season. After a few rocky years, Dell’Olio brings a wealth of experience to a team desperate for some stability and development, having both played and coached football for many years. Nicknamed the “Bull” for always running into tackles on the field, Dell’Olio played for Swinburne University before he made the switch to coaching, having taken the reins of both the men’s reserves and seniors teams until the opportunity came up to coach the women’s side, where he was at the helm for five years. ‘[Coaching women’s footy] was a steep learning curve, but one I thoroughly enjoyed.’
The appeal to coach for the Animals came long before the interview process, with Dell’Olio citing his ‘good rapport with the club when coaching against them’ as one of the reasons he was drawn to Bennettswood Reserve in the first place. But it was an ‘engaging and enthusiastic panel’ speaking of the passion and commitment already present within the women’s team for 2023 that sealed the deal for him.
‘I strongly believe I can help the team improve. There’s a core group that has stuck together despite results not going their way, and I’m really excited to discover what we can be.’
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Dell’Olio is already well aware of how hard it is to get 18 players on the park, let alone 24 on the team sheet. ‘I would love to be able to give players the option to have the week off if they are carrying an injury or need a break to refresh’.
After a year out of the game, Dell’Olio has big plans for 2023, with a huge focus on cultivating an environment for players where they are continually motivated to improve their health, skills and as a team member, at every opportunity. He also believes that ‘celebrating the little wins of your teammates 100% of the time’ is where success on the field and scoreboard is found.
‘A successful year for me is where we’ve enjoyed our footy and each other’s company, been creative in the way we play that excites and suits us. I want all of us to know we’ve spent the year empowering each other to improve, but also embraced the mistakes and used them as an opportunity for learning.’
Preseason kicks off on the 14th of November at Bennettswood Reserve for both the men’s and women’s teams, and will continue for five weeks leading up to Christmas on Monday and Wednesday nights. See you there!