NFC Appoints Development League Coach

Norwood has appointed a well known and much loved club figure to lead its SANFLW Development League side in 2024, with Alison Ferrall announced as coach.

Ferrall retired from SANFLW football at the conclusion of the 2023 season, following 57 SANFLW games across six years with the Redlegs.

She was the club’s SANFLW Captain for four seasons from 2020 to 2023.

Ferrall said she was excited to step into her first head coaching role, having recently coached junior girls at the Norwood Football Club, as well as within the State Girls program and locally with the Morphettville Park Football Club.

“I am really excited, I am really passionate about coaching and have really enjoyed the chance to coach within the junior girls program at Norwood over the past five seasons,” she said.

“It has been a great opportunity to coach those U16 girls, but now that I am retired from playing I am keen to progress to that next step into a head coaching role. It’s a good role for me as I can continue to assist those younger, up-and-coming girls within the Development League team.”

Ferrall was excited by the prospect of coaching a Norwood Development League team which made the 2023 Grand Final (losing to South Adelaide by seven points) following an undefeated season.

“It will be great to work with the young stars that are coming through – a lot of our current League players came through the Development League side,” she said.

“There is a lot of talent in that young group – they are the future of the club.

“The Development League girls did a great job to get to a Grand Final last year and hopefully we can go one step further this season – I am looking forward to pre-season and seeing how much we can progress.”

Alison won’t be the only Ferrall coaching at Norwood next season, with her husband Brad Ferrall appointed into the SANFLW head coaching role for 2024 (taking over from Brad Snell).

“I am excited to work alongside the coaching panel, especially with Brad being the head coach,” she said.

“Brad and I already talk footy non-stop and I am excited to see what we can do this year.

“There is a lot to learn but this is a great environment for me to do so.”

Brad said he quickly got over any initial hesitations about appointing his wife as Development League coach, saying she was clearly the best candidate for the job.

“Ali has great experience in coaching girls at Norwood, State and local level and is very well placed to move into this role,” he said.

“She has built a great relationship with our SANFLW squad, having playing alongside and leading this group for the last four years – she brings great coaching experience and a solid relationship with the playing group. She is well respected amongst the SANFLW playing and coaching group.

“Two or three years ago Ali realised that she was close to the end of her playing career and began transitioning into coaching roles. Ali was clearly the best candidate for the job and I am looking forward to working with her and the entire coaching team.”

By Josh Teakle, NFC