Emmerson Hitch is taking the next step in her football journey, stepping up as co-coach of Darley’s Ballarat Football League women’s side.
Hitch has been a playing assistant coach in recent years but this season will join Brett Faulkhead as co-coaches.
Hitch said she was excited for the opportunity.
“It’s pretty surreal,” she said. “I’m just 24 and I’m on the same level as Brett as we go for a potential three-peat.
“It’s a big honour and I’m excited to do it.”
Hitch said she had already been taking some of the running of training sessions and taken on a lot of leadership both on and off field.
She said her and Faulkhead already had a good relationship they were hoping to build on.
“We’re always on the same page,” she said. “We have regular meetings.”
Hitch has been coaching for four years, having coached under-18s and under-16s.
This year she’s a forwards coach at the Western Jets girls program.
It’s a program she came through herself.
“I have a bit of experience coaching and senior experience with older girls,” she said. “With the Jets I’m seeing the other side. I had the experience as a player, so I know what they are going through.
“I want to prepare them for that experience.”
The Devils head into another season confident with the list that they have. Having won the last two premierships, they have a number of players wanting to join the club.
“We’ve had a core group for the last two-three years which is really positive and it’s an environment we can create success from,” Hitch said.
“We’ve had a lot of players who want to come to play for Darley. “
Hitch said the biggest signing of the off season was former Devil Tamara Henry.
Henry, who is aligned with Collingwood’s Victorian Football League Women’s side, played for the Devils before she was drafted by Adelaide.
She didn’t play an AFL game.
Hitch said they had added a couple of players from Melton as well, while some of their young talent was coming through the ranks.
“We’ve got a lot of young girls knocking on the door,” she said. “We’ve signed two young girls.
“Charli Parsons-Jones is just 15 and she’s a talent.
“Evie Johnson is 16. They are up with us and another girl Evie Fitzgerald, who is 17, from the Western Jets has stepped up as well.
“We have some awesome juniors coming up and young ones in the under-16s. It’s good for our depth in the future.”
