— Peta Searle OAM

In 2004, Peta was appointed as the development coach for the StKilda Football Club, becoming the first female coach in the Australian Football League (AFL) She was the first head coach of the AFL Victoria Academy and the first femaleto coach in the Victorian Football League (VFL) Peta was also Head Coach for the Western Bulldogs Women’s team in the AFL’s firstexhibition match. Throughout hercareer, Peta has challenged the notion that male sports require male coaches and leaders As a speaker at schools and events, Peta provides thought-provoking insights into the benefits of coaching, teamwork and leadership. Peta received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the AFL in the Queen Birthday Honours on 10June 2019. In 2022 the Essendon Football Club appointed Peta as Coach Development Manager in their AFLW program. October 2019 she was named one of The Australian Financial Review's 100 Women of Influence in the category of Arts, Culture and Sport Currently she is a Senior Facilitator Change and People Focused Leadership Programs for the Government Victorian Honour Roll for Women - 2017