IT'S been 12 years since Nicole Graves experienced a full Melbourne winter, and she admits her electric blanket is currently getting a workout.

As the Club’s inaugural GM of Women’s Football, the Victorian native has spent the last decade working in a much warmer climate at the Swan Districts Football Club in Western Australia.

Although the chilly mornings are taking some getting used to, as a Carlton supporter through and through, Graves said she’s excited to be back in her heartland.

“I’ve been a Carlton supporter my whole life. My family are all Carlton people,” Graves said.

“I’ve sat in this ground and watched many many games in the cheersquad as a six or seven-year-old, and I’d watch the peanut man going around the oval, so coming in knowing the history of this ground felt really nice for me – I’m excited to be back.”

Nicole Graves is thrilled to be at the club she adores. (Photo: Carlton Media)

In a career spanning nearly two decades, Graves arrives at the Blues with an extensive background in women’s football, both as a player, coach and administrator.

Over her time in the game, she has seen the rapid growth of women’s footy at grassroots level, as well as throughout senior competitions. Graves says the desire to learn and soak up information about the game is at the forefront of every female footballer.

“Coaches will say these girls are sponges, they want to learn and they want to develop, which is probably no different to the boys, but the men have had another 100 years in the game, so these opportunities have come along much easier,” Graves said.

“That is the best part about football’s evolution - the opportunity that women and girls have in the game, not just as players and coaches, but as administrators and staff as well.”

Having overseen the development of numerous women’s football programs both in Victoria and WA, the dual premiership coach is looking forward to balancing the business aspect, as well as the football side, of her position.

“My role shows the commitment to the Club’s female football pathways,” Graves said.

“Sitting on the executive, I’ll not only be overseeing the VFLW and AFLW programs and the staff and players that are involved in that, but also the business evolution of women’s football at the Club which is really exciting.

“I’ll be working with all the departments in the Club to make sure it’s an inclusive environment and that we’re maximising the business opportunities for Carlton through our female players.”

Creating a positive, learning environment for the players will also be a key focus of her role to ensure the Club is getting the best out of its players, as well as building pathways between the VFLW and AFLW programs.

“As a general manager, I need to make sure our players and staff are happy, that they’re enjoying themselves and having fun, but they’re giving us their output. We’ve all got a responsibility that we’re moving forward,” Graves said.

“It’s important that we continue to move forward and continue to build a really positive culture, structure and game plan for this particular group.”

The new structure of the Blues’ women’s program has slowly been pieced together over the last few months, with the appointment of Daniel Harford as AFLW senior coach and Shannon McFerran taking on the role as the inaugural VFLW coach.

Having played against each other for more than 15 years in the VWFL, Graves and McFerran have already founded a strong relationship – something Graves will also look to establish with Harford.

“Daniel and I met only a week ago, and I guess nicely enough, we met on the Gold Coast watching the state under-18 championships,” Graves said.

“It was nice not be in that office environment. To be able to sit up there and watch the next generation of young players perform and talk about the type of culture and environment we want to build here at Carlton was great.”

Reflecting on her first few days at the Club, Graves reiterated she was delighted to be part of the Club’s future heading into the third AFLW season.

“Sitting in my first executive meeting yesterday and learning where the Club is going – I know most people only see the on-field stuff – but to see what’s happening in the background for the future of this footy club is really exciting.”