EVEN when she was a professional on the golf tour in Europe and the US, new Western Bulldogs coach Tam Hyett travelled with a footy. She hadn’t played the game outside of school, but passion for the sport ran through the family, with uncle Doug Wade the fifth-highest goalkicker in V/AFL history.
After her golf days were over, she made her football debut as the self-described “oldest-ever rookie” at 35 with VWFL side St Kilda Sharks, playing alongside the likes of Shannon McFerran, Penny Cula-Reid, Phoebe McWilliams and a very young Jas Garner and Jenna Bruton. Hyett loved every minute, but coaching was calling. First at the Sharks, then with Coates Talent League side Sandringham Dragons.
After that, she advanced to the highest level, joining Melbourne in 2021 as a development coach before taking over as manager of the highly regarded backline for the previous three seasons.
“I have always adored soccer. We used to jump the fence at quartertime when the radio was on and have a kick since [our house] really backed onto a primary school, Hyett said to AFL.com.au.
“I have always, always loved my footy, and I used to travel with it when I was on tour in Europe.”
“I think [coaching] is the next best thing to playing, having an opportunity to assist in the development and shape young people.”
With Hyett joining Lauren Arnell (Port Adelaide), Natalie Wood (Essendon), Lisa Webb (Fremantle), and the recently appointed Daisy Pearce (West Coast) as leaders, the 2024 season will see a record high number of women in key coaching roles.
Up until now, the burn has been gradual. Arnell, Webb, and Pearce all competed in the AFLW, which debuted in 2017, before starting their careers as top coaches. Wood, on the other hand, played in the VWFL at the same time as Hyett and is now playing for Darebin’s Masters team.
According to a piece I read, ladies will be selected based on ten pieces; you have nine of them, and you don’t have one. ‘Oh no, I won’t apply,’ you think,” Hyett remarked.
“I believe that it may be our own self-awareness and expectations that prevent us from applying for jobs at first. Others only need to gently encourage you to say, “Yeah, that’s something that I could definitely do,” when you’re thinking like this.
“The AFL and AFL Coaches Association have also put up some amazing programs to help women have the opportunity to coach, such as ‘Dais’ Lauren Arnell.
“I worked with ‘Dais’ for a few years at the Dees, and she was a ready-made coach—she’s incredible, and as a player, she helped us coaches.”
“I believe it’s a visual thing as well; when people see instructors, they get interested and ask, ‘Well, how can I get involved?’ There is now a very robust road in place for everyone who wants to become a coach, not only women coaches.”
Hyett emphasized the contributions made by Arnell and Steve Teakel in launching AFL Victoria’s “She Can Coach” initiative, which has enrolled 159 people since 2013.
I earned the scholarship with the AFL Coaches Association just a year ago, and that allowed me to apply for the ‘Next Coach’ program, which is run by Ron Watt and David Wheadon.
“I was paired with a mentor, and I was fortunate enough to have Adem Yze at the Dees. He was a terrific resource to have conversations with and we had some very nice conversations. He has now moved on to lead his own program, the Richmond men’s squad.”
Hyett has a difficult assignment ahead of him as the Western Bulldogs, who are in last position, essentially require a rebuild after a number of veteran players decided to go elsewhere.
As a former individual athlete who played golf, she hopes her unique experience will be highlighted. She has a deeper understanding of the advantages of team sports.
“As a coach, my skills are in connection building and people understanding. I adore people, and I believe that because of my experience as an athlete, I understand that you are a person before an athlete,” Hyett remarked.
“It is a blessing for us that they are gifted football players. My ability to establish a connection and my comprehension of the equilibrium needed to [perform] in a high-performance setting are hence my strong points.
“As an individual athlete myself, (Dogs players) may take use of the fact that they are really fortunate to have teammates around for support.
“But establishing that human connection is what matters most. I adore it. That’s how I get by.”
