As Head of Wellbeing and Player Development Manager within the Club’s AFLW program, Kate Frazer’s journey into her career is one of passion, dedication, and continuous personal growth.
Kate recounts her journey to Collingwood, sharing that the Covid-19 pandemic inspired a career change.
“I worked as a teacher for ten years and felt like I had hit my ceiling in my role, so I was ready for a new challenge," said Frazer.
Retiring from water polo and ending her time as a learning and development consultant, she started a new career at Collingwood.
“I started as the wellbeing lead in the netball program and have transitioned primarily into AFLW, where I help players with their off-field life.”
When asked what she finds most enjoyable about her work, she immediately responds, “it's working with people and creating sustained change. It’s incredible to assist and witness people develop professionally and, importantly, personally.”
Inspired to continue leading people's development, a highlight is “seeing people reach their potential that they might not have realised they had.”
As the Head of Wellbeing in the women’s program, Kate reflects on how she has strived to make the players feel more powerful as females.
“What I have recently reflected on is accelerated action, and what that means for me is implementing the ability for women to build resilience.”
As a society we have made strides in women empowerment, but she feels resilience is still a tool that women need to become accustomed to.
“Something that I have been trying to implement with our AFLW players is creating a safe space for them to build resilience as it's a tool that women need to develop within themselves.”
Entering the football industry, she shares some of the personal reasons that motivate her care for women empowerment.
“I had an absolute career change at age 30 and entered a male-dominated industry, compared to the teaching space where it’s female-dominated. It put into perspective how much we should advocate for each other.”
Her advocacy shines through with the Club’s AFLW program. Kate shares, “Working with ‘Burgs’ (Jess Burger, Executive General Manager of Women’s Football), Sam (Wight, AFLW Head Coach), and the team, we have continued to build an elite AFLW program. Over the women’s off-season, the Club has organised optional training sessions, which has led to a one-club approach to support the continued development of AFLW.”
“I’m the type of person who speaks her mind, doesn’t like to wait for change and likes to take action. I believe we have made positive steps in getting closer to the goal of when we speak about football programs, no longer needing to ask, ‘Are you talking about AFL or AFLW?’”
Having such a colourful career journey, Kate shares advice she would tell her younger self.
“I have been fortunate to be given such incredible opportunities over my career, including my development at Collingwood. I feel like a valued part of the team, but when you haven’t had the opportunity to prove yourself at the beginning of a new role, the internal pressure can get to you. So, I’d tell her to enjoy the moment because the opportunities will present themselves when it’s time and to have fun along the journey.”
The Club’s Women in Black and White Group will continue to profile the women and non-binary people of the Club each month in 2025.
