THE GAME Changers have significantly boosted their coaching group for Season 7.0 with the promotion of Kade Simpson to the position of Head of AFLW Development.
This newly-created role will allow every Carlton AFLW player to access individualised training beyond the existing training program, that will focus solely on their personal development as Carlton footballers and Carlton people.
A successful first two years as an assistant coach has seen Simpson become a key pillar of the Club’s AFLW program, demonstrating an ability to impart his 342 games of AFL experience in a manner that has not only been valued by the playing group but has endeared him to everyone associated within the program.
Those proven coaching credentials will see the Blues champion step up into the role of Head of AFLW Development, with a clear focus on providing an opportunity for every player to maximise their career in the Navy Blue.
As well as assessing each individual players’ strengths and areas for improvement, Simpson will also provide invaluable support to AFLW Senior Coach Daniel Harford and the wider coaching group.
He will provide assistance in the delivery of the training program as well as match-day preparation and also work with Head of AFL Development Luke Power to ensure key training fundamentals are instilled in a consistent and elite manner across both football programs.
Carlton GM of Women’s Football Brett Munro said the Club’s investment in a Head of AFLW Development was a significant step in the growth of the program.
“AFLW is entering a new era that will see professionalism and the demands of the game rise to a level never seen before – as a club we need to be at the forefront of that rise and the appointment of Kade today as our Head of AFLW Development sees us take a massive step towards doing that,” Munro said.
“Our players are ready to increase their investment in their careers, so as a club we are determined to provide them with all the support the need to allow them to do that.
“Not only will our players now have access to our Senior Coach Daniel Harford and their respective line coaches, but they will also have the opportunity to experience individualised training with Kade that focuses solely on their development.
“The players will then be able to take this extra work they are putting in with Kade and implement it into our existing training program. That is going to be a significant boost to our program as a whole.
“Kade’s new role will not only benefit our players but also our coaching group. This competition is becoming more and more demanding on staff by the day so by adding an additional coaching resource, it will allow the other coaches to invest further in our players from a relationship and game-play perspective.
“We believe that having Kade as our Head of AFLW Development provides every player on our list with the opportunity to access a unique and elite coaching program in the high-performance environment that will see them get the absolute most out of their playing career.”
Simpson said he understood the responsibility of the role and could not wait to get started.
“For the Club to have the foresight to identify a need for this role to help take our program forward is a strong statement of intent for how invested we are in helping this group of players reach that next level we know they are capable of,” Simpson said.
“Our goal is to ensure our players have access to every level of support they require to become the best Carlton player they can possibly be.
“The mentality to get the absolute best out of yourself in every moment you walk through the doors of the football club is going to hold our program in great stead as we step into an exciting new era of AFLW.”
