By JARROD POTTER
SUPPORTING her two boys’ sports pursuits had Narre Warren Junior Football Club coach Annemarie Bayard switch sides on the boundary line – and she has not looked back in her inaugural coaching year.
She’s probably one of the only mothers in the country to have coached all of her children in junior sports – Jessica and Laura in netball and this season coaching her boys Charlie and Xavier and their Narre Warren under-11 Blue football team.
With her sons close in age and given a dispensation to play in the same team, Bayard put her hand up to coach, and has loved the experience.
“I’ve coached netball before and we’ve got both our boys playing in that team – Charlie is playing up an age level – and I said to the club if he could play up I’d be interested in coaching that team,” Bayard said.
“The club has been fantastic – supported me all along – everyone has been amazing with their encouragement and support.
“Very experienced team to support me, too – Trav Marsham being my assistant coach, and being married to Matt Shinners helped a little bit as well.”
Bayard’s junior Magpies worked their way into the grand final and rose to the challenge on Sunday morning to claim the South East Juniors premiership 6.4 (40) to 4.6 (30) over Beaconsfield, making her the first female coach to win a premiership in the competition.
Her side had to do it the hard way, after losing a semi-final before earning the second spot in the grand final last weekend in a preliminary final – and despite being down at half-time, the Magpies rose to claim their inaugural premiership.
“This is their first year in scoring and finals so that was exciting,” Bayard said.
“Their first half was fantastic, but we were hoping if our boys got in front they’d play some really good footy.
“Really pleased with them – it was a really great team effort.
“All came together – knew that we could do it – came in at half time and the heads were down a bit, we were only a goal or so down at that stage, and knew if they could kick a goal it would lift them and it did.”
The thrill continued for Narre Warren under-11s as Collingwood great Peter Daicos presented the next generation of Magpies with their premiership medallions while another club supporter – Western Bulldogs’ Toby Mclean – also came to watch the side shine at Holm Park Reserve.
“Pretty sure I’m the first woman to win a premiership for the South East Juniors which is pretty cool, first female coach for Narre Warren JFC in their 40th year as well,” Bayard said.
“It would definitely would be great to see other women coaching – I think the most important part is to have an experienced team with you to help you out – not one that will stand over you.
“I’ve got some dads with some great football experience … there’s some experienced footy players there but never during the whole season did I feel like they were judging me or thinking I should do things differently.
“It’s nice to have that support at the club and the league and hopefully we see a few more girls coaching soon.”
Better yet for Bayard, she’s put down her interest in returning in 2016 to coach the side once again … and jotting down “premiership coach” on the application has a nice ring to it.
“I have applied to coach the boys again,” Bayard said.
“I’ve had fantastic support from the parents and the team – everyone has asked if I will do it again, and the kids have asked as well – which is great that they’re asking and smiling about it too.”
Bayard wanted to thank the side’s previous coaches Scruff, Darren Marsham and Mark Hartley for their help getting the side towards the premiership.
