Erin Phillips will work toward achieving a level 3 AFL coaching accreditation. Image: Matt Sampson.

PORT ADELAIDE marquee signing Erin Phillips has been selected to take part in the AFL’s Women’s Coaching Acceleration Program.

Successful applicants will be employed by their AFL club for at least two-years between now and 2025 and will work toward achieving a level 3 AFL coaching accreditation.

As part of the program, Phillips will be involved in a formal mentorship with Port Adelaide men’s head coach Ken Hinkley, who is also working closely with women’s head coach Lauren Arnell, to support her professional development.

Port Adelaide Head of AFLW Juliet Haslam is pleased the club can support Phillips’s development.

“Coaching is a promising future pathway for Erin and we’re thrilled she has chosen Port Adelaide to support her toward developing her career in elite sport.

“We are very passionate at our club about having strong, capable women in leadership roles and we are excited to see Erin take on this opportunity.”

Port Adelaide's Head of AFLW Juliet Haslam says that Erin has a promising future pathway in coaching. Image: Matt Sampson.

AFL general manager women’s football Nicole Livingstone said the committee was impressed with all nine applications and the club's presentations.

“Pleasingly, all nine senior AFL coaches were not only in attendance, but genuinely spoke about their desire to have women coaching in their AFL programs,” Livingstone said.

"Today's announcement is a major step towards the AFL's Women's Football Vision 2021-2030, where we want to see 50 per cent of AFLW senior coaching positions held by women.

"In season seven, Bec Goddard, Natalie Wood and Lauren Arnell will all hold senior coaching roles.

"The Women's Coaching Acceleration program will expedite the development of the industry's best women coaches and increase the number of women in coaching roles across men's and women's programs."

The program will be overseen by a women’s senior coach acceleration steering committee, which includes Livingstone and former Australian Women’s cricket captain Belinda Clark.

Nine AFL clubs had female coaching candidates who were successful in their applications.

Port Adelaide: Erin Phillips
Adelaide Crows: Chelsea Randall
Brisbane Lions: Emma Zielke
Collingwood: Chloe McMillan
Essendon: Natalie Wood
Geelong Cats: Daisy Pearce
GWS GIANTS: Alicia Eva
Hawthorn: Bec Goddard
North Melbourne: to be announced