Tigers lock in inaugural AFLW coaching panel

Richmond has finalised its 2020 AFLW coaching set-up ahead of the beginning of its inaugural campaign. 

Tom Hunter who was announced as Head Coach in June will lead the coaching panel with Jacob Thompson (Senior Assistant and Midfield Line Coach), Jason Armistead (Forwards) and Sam Shaw (Backline) his assistants.

Nathan Chapman will also join the program as a Specialist Coach, working across all lines and skill acquisition.

Popular VFLW assistant coach Liz Quinn will take on a Culture and Leadership position in the AFLW program, using her mentoring, discipline and development skills acquired through her position as a Lieutenant Commander in the Australian Navy.

Chapman has spent the past 12 months as a specialist kicking coach for the VFLW team, where Richmond improved from the competition’s worst offender of “clanger kicks” to the most effective kicking team in the league. 

The former AFL defender played 76 games at Brisbane and Hawthorn between 1993 and 2000 and in 2004 was signed in the NFL by the Green Bay Packers as a punter.

Chapman is now the Director and Founder of Prokick Australia, a company that coaches fledgling punters such as former Tigers Ben Griffiths and Ben Lennon, to punting scholarships and contracts in US College Football and the NFL.

Thompson, a Level 2 Accredited Coach was the Tigers’ VFLW Forward Line Coach this season. He has previously held the role of Head Coach for the Essendon Football Club’s James Hird Academy and was the Calder Cannons’ 2009 TAC Cup captain.

Armistead will join the Richmond Women’s program across AFLW and VFLW, having spent the past three seasons as Head Coach of the Geelong Falcons in the NAB League Girls.

The experienced coach, who is currently completing his Level 3 Coaching Accreditation has also held Senior Men’s Coaching roles at Anglesea and South Barwon in the strong Bellarine and Geelong Football League’s.

Shaw played 24 games for Adelaide across five seasons as a key defender before having his career cut short due to concussion.

The 28-year-old, who is embarking on a Master’s in Architecture, is currently coaching the First XVIII at Xavier College, where he is also a former student.

Richmond Head of Women’s Football, Kate Sheahan, said that Shaw would bring a wealth of knowledge to the group, particularly the key position players.

“We are very excited to have all four coaches on board and cannot wait for them all to get started.

“They will each be terrific acquisitions to our program.”