YESTERDAY it was announced that former North Melbourne AFLW coach and Collingwood AFLW assistant coach Scott Gowans would be the inaugural coach of the Sydney Swans when they enter the AFLW in the 2023 season.

Gowans told the Sydney Swans website that he was excited at the opportunity.

“It’s a great opportunity to be a senior coach at the Sydney Swans and I’m honoured to be able to coach the club’s first AFLW team,” Gowans said.

“I’ve heard a lot about this club and how close-knit the family at the club is, and I want to be part of that, and hopefully build something that will lead us to success.

“Part of my role will be focused on developing coaches and I’m keen to ensure I’m setting that legacy straight away. I’ve been very big on helping female coaches develop and I’ve taken over 20 coaches through to their level two course as a mentor. It’s something I’m really passionate about.”

Gowans has an extensive coaching history, and brings a lot of experience to the new role.

He was the inaugural coach of North in the AFLW, and led the side to 11 wins from 14 matches over a two year period. Then in a move that shocked many, he was fired after the 2020 season as a Covid cost cutting measure.

He then went on to join Collingwood as an assistant coach, before being appointed to the role at the Swans.

Prior to his AFLW roles, he was the inaugural coach of the Dandenong Stingray’s women’s academy, coach of the Vic Country side that won a National title at the Youth Girls National Championships in 2017, and coached Diamond Creek to a VFLW Grand Final in the same year.

Gowans’ replacement at the Pies will be former Cat and Eagle Scott Selwood, who is already the midfield coach with the club’s AFLM program. This was not the only exciting news that the Swans had to share this week.

The Swans also announced that they had passed 4000 AFLW members. In doing so, they became the first club to reach the milestone.