Sport
9 November, 2026
Women dominate coaching at Leichhardt Football
LEICHHARDT Football Club has formed what it calls Far North Queensland’s first all-female coaching trio as it prepares for the 2027 women’s football season.
Head coach Bianca Field will lead the team alongside assistant coaches Kerryn Kennedy and Karla Place, bringing together a wealth of playing experience and a combined total of 24 premierships and 21 Crad Evans trophies.
Ms Field said the appointment was a significant milestone for women’s football in the region.
“It’s the first time that the competition has seen three women take charge of the coaching ranks,” she said.
Ms Kennedy will serve as assistant and attacking coach, drawing on her experience as a striker and midfielder.
Her daughter also plays for Leichhardt, forming a mother-daughter coaching partnership within the team.
Ms Place will take responsibility for defensive coaching, having played seven seasons, won seven premierships, and claimed seven Crad Evans trophies.
Ms Field said that establishing a strong team culture would be central to their approach.
“I think the first thing we’re going to try and do is establish a really good culture behind the team,” she said.
“Once we’ve got that right attitude, the success will come.”
All three coaches are former Queensland representatives, and their daughters play for Leichhardt.
Ms Field said opportunities for women in coaching had improved considerably since she played two decades earlier.
“20 years ago, when we all played together, there weren’t any female coaches in the competition, so we were always coached by men,” she said.
Leichhardt has also produced Australian representatives Tula Junna, Kellie Spilstead, Sasha McDonnell and Kylie Bloomfield. Mary Fowler was a Leichhardt junior.
The club is now inviting new and returning players to join its women’s squad ahead of next season.
