It can take time to develop a flag-winning team, but when you have an emerging talent at the helm, sometimes things click into place.
Sam Heron has been awarded the Peta Searle Female Coach of the Year award at the 2023 AFL Victoria Community Awards.
Australian football could not exist without the work of local legends at the grassroots level, and the annual AFL Victoria Community Football Awards, held on Friday, October 20, at Ikon Park, recognised some of the hardest workers.
Heron guided the Seymour under-16s to an undefeated season in 2023.
The Lions lifted the flag at Deakin Reserve on Sunday, September 3, after defeating Shepparton United 18.10 (118) to 7.6 (48).
Despite her incredible achievement, Heron said she was surprised to claim the award.
“I was in a bit of shock, actually. (I) Wasn’t expecting that at all,” Heron said.
“I coached a little while ago, about four or five years ago, and then I went off and played some football in Shepparton and then didn’t play this year.
“They had no coach, the under-16 boys and this was like four weeks out from the season.
“So one of the parents reached out to me (and asked) if I would be interested, and yeah, I definitely got the passion back for coaching.
“Like with any football club, you have your struggles.
“Lots of teams go through the season undefeated and lose their Grand Final, but for them to come out and play the way they did on Grand Final day, I was extremely proud, and after the game, I couldn’t stop crying.”
Heron lives and breathes football.
Along with coaching the Seymour Under-16s, Heron ran an Auskick program in Benalla for girls keen to lace up to boots and begin playing footy.
Getting more women involved in the game she loves is a passion of Heron’s.
She is keen to take any opportunity to help more females strive.
“I was able to speak at a forum a couple of weeks ago for just women in AFL,” she said.
“There were about 150 women from the community, and I think it’s really important that women get involved at footy clubs, especially with all the girls that are coming through now. It’s exciting.
“(I have) got a few opportunities coming, hopefully soon.
“I’d like to coach at the Seymour Footy Club for another year and then get some more experience, and then, hopefully, one day, I can coach an AFLW team.”
No woman is an island, and Heron would like to thank everyone who supported her and allowed her to win the award.
“(I would) definitely (like to thank) my family and friends and my partner,” she said.
“They’ve got to deal with me with the game board and everything every day.
“From the footy club, I’d definitely like to thank the Junior Footy Club Committee.
“They were amazing. All year, they had my back, and I couldn’t ask for a better committee.
“A couple of special mentions would be to Vicki Kennedy and Michael Brown.”