Collingwood is pleased to announce the appointment of Chloe McMillan to the full-time position of VFLW senior coach and AFLW assistant coach for 2020.
McMillan will join the VFLW program after three seasons as an assistant coach for the club’s AFLW side. The 25-year old joined the Pies as one of three development coaches for the inaugural AFLW campaign in 2017.
In the same year McMillan was a member of Collingwood’s pioneering coaching pathway program aimed at developing female football coaches in Victoria. Today, McMillan is a product of the program’s success.
Since 2017 McMillan has played a crucial role in developing Collingwood’s AFLW squad, with a particular focus on defence and backline craft.
Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport, Jane Woodlands-Thompson, congratulated McMillan on a well-deserved promotion.
“We are thrilled to have Chloe step up into a senior role and take ownership of the VFLW program at Collingwood,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
“We are so proud of everything she has achieved over the past few years at the club and can’t think of a more deserving candidate.
“Chloe’s expertise in coaching, her statistical analysis of the game, and passion for the growth of women’s football are qualities we believe will enable her to be an excellent leader.
“We look forward in seeing Chloe step up and continue to develop in 2020.”
McMillan succeeds inaugural VFLW coach, Penny Cula-Reid, who led the Magpies to the VFLW premiership in 2019.
At AFLW level, McMillan will be one of three line coaches supporting head coach Steve Symonds, with Chris Clifton joining the program as senior assistant and midfield coach and Mat Creeper taking responsibility for the forward line.
Collingwood’s AFL players Jordan Roughead and Brodie Grundy, together with Lynden Dunn, will also support the program as specialist coaches.
Symonds joined the Pies in June after three years with Norwood Football Club as senior women’s coach (SANFL).
Collingwood’s AFLW program will return to the Holden Centre next week for pre-season training.
