It’s been a common sight on the training track at GMHBA Stadium: Kate Darby taking the opportunity of some down-time between drills to share her wisdom and advice with younger teammates.

Over the off-season this year, the Cats veteran took her guidance into a professional capacity, joining the Geelong Falcons Girls program as a development coach.

Working under former teammate and inaugural Cats AFLW captain Melissa Hickey – who became head coach of the program this year – Darby has been helping the Falcons’ talls develop their game.

“Melissa Hickey – who obviously played and captained here – is the head coach of the girls program at the Geelong Falcons, and so she gave me a call a little while ago now to say what her thoughts were with the program,” Darby said.

“They did already have their line coaches, but she wanted to see if I was interested in doing any work as a development coach for the girls program, so I work as a development coach, mainly helping out the talls, whether it be rucks or key position players with specific roles and skills for their roles.

“And then I was also the mids coach for the (under) 16s team, as they only get two games for the year, so I was the mids coach, and it’s been really enjoyable.”

Darby also continued her development with the AFLW Academy recently, joining as an assistant coach for the elite under-19 team as it took on a representative Under 23 All-Stars team at Marvel Stadium on June 18.

Although her stint with the Falcons is her first foray into coaching formally in football, Darby has a decade’s experience behind her as a tennis coach.

She has also helped run many football clinics through Geelong's community programs.

“I have always loved the coaching side of sport, so I’ve always thought about whenever the time comes that I’m no longer playing anymore, it would possibly be something that I’m interested in,” Darby said.

“Through footy and Community opportunities, I have gone out with local clubs and (have done) little pieces here and there, so I knew that I had enjoyment for it. So I guess it was just my first official unofficial role, helping out.

“And obviously the Falcons program is so great; to be able to work with fantastic coaches and learn from them and then learn a little bit about the pathway – because I didn’t come through that pathway – and learn about how it all looks and how it all works, it’s just been a good all-round experience.”

In April, Darby was selected to take part in the BHP She Can Coach Program, joining with female coaches from across Australia in the course.

There are now a host of current and former Geelong Cats women’s players who are making their mark off-field in footy.

Defender Annabel Johnson has also taken on the role of development coach with the Falcons this year, while former Cat Cassie Blakeway is there as an assistant coach.

The Cats’ VFLW side had a strong season under the guidance of new senior coach Elise Coventry, who was on Geelong’s inaugural AFLW list, with another original Cat in Anna Teague taking up the reigns as defence coach for the state league team. The Cats narrowly missed out on a spot in the finals in what was an incredibly even season, having held top spot for a number of weeks earlier in the year.

Geelong’s 2022 VFLW captain and current leadership group member Bree Beckley has stepped into the role of Talent Operations Lead across the Falcons’ girls and boys programs this year, having been the Female Talent Manager at the Falcons for three years, and also having worked as AFL Barwon’s Female Football Coordinator last year.

AFLW-listed stars Johnson, Chloe Scheer, Darcy Moloney and Mia Skinner all work with AFL Victoria as participation coordinators, helping to grow the game around the AFL Barwon region, running clinics at clubs, schools and events.