![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Zoe-Clune-2-916x1024.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cCelebrating Women Leading The Way\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the next few weeks, ATCO, alongside WA Football, are powering up a series of stories celebrating some of the many outstanding female figures throughout our great game.<\/p>\n
Zoe Clune is making a difference at West Perth as the Women\u2019s Player Welfare Manager, a role she has embraced.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my second\u00a0season at the club, and I studied Chaplaincy\/ Youth Mental Health and worked as a High School Chaplain for many years,\u201d Clune said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am also the club Chaplain for the W program, and the two roles have similar hats so to speak, with some different tasks attached to each title but most people just refer to it as Wellbeing or Welfare.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Clune outlined her week at the Falcons.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am available for players and staff to reach out to me and chat about something they may be struggling with on or off the field,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is usually via the phone, at a caf\u00e9 or the football club.<\/p>\n
\u201cI attend training sessions so players can engage impromptu and a less formal meeting if required.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an ongoing Wellbeing Check In via an App in the same way they are reporting injuries, soreness and sleep to medical staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf anything is flagged in this, I will reach out to the player.<\/p>\n
\u201cI meet with players during the week to help them with their on-field mindset work, routines and off field goal setting.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn game day I am on the bench to help where needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is often in the mindset space, and how to get their head back in the game if required, or sometimes the unfortunate need to be there during serious injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to add value to the W program in any way I can, guided by needs and proactive ideas from players and coaching staff.\u201d<\/p>\n
A trained Critical Incident Response Chaplain, Clune believes earning the trust of those at the club is a priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cWelfare is clearly a growing space within football,\u201d Clune said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been around for a long time, and many clubs have invested in having off field support.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecently it appears to have a stronger focus and investment, and I think the stigma around asking for help is diminishing so people feel like they can reach out to someone for support, so clubs are making sure they have someone available.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like an injury, Clune understands her work can vary from player to player.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt West Perth, coaches and players have a clear understanding about my role and what I can and can\u2019t do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have an ankle injury, you are helped and assessed by medical staff who may refer you to a doctor who will treat your injury and collaborate with physios on a return to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlayers who see me with what I deem an issue that needs to be referred to an outside agency for further help, I do that and walk the journey with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust like the Club Physiotherapist isn\u2019t performing the ankle surgery, I am not diagnosing or treating serious mental health conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a trusted person within the club to help players access that help is important.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Wellbeing person can be the bridge needed or can recognise that a player may be off their baseline.\u201d<\/p>\n
The satisfaction of helping a player of staff member through challenging times is a major reward for Clune.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love to see players overcome obstacles,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften it takes a bit of work to identify the reason they are feeling or performing a particular way then working out how to overcome it.<\/p>\n
\u201cReflecting back with the player about how far they have come, and how they are responding to a problem is a reward for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things I like most about my role is working with a player during the week about their mindset activation\/reactivation during a game.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach player has different activations, some verbal, some physical, some simple cues that can help lift their game if required.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mother of two works part-time at Warwick Senior High School, starting there this year after 15 years at Wanneroo Secondary College.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy role at Warwick Senior High School has given me the opportunity to be involved in an exciting step for women\u2019s football in the area,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWarwick SHS has a long-standing and highly successful Specialist AFL Program, and in 2027 we will be launching dedicated female classes within the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe aim is to provide an elite all-girls training environment that complements students\u2019 club and talent pathway commitments, while supporting their academic aspirations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe program is designed to help student-athletes balance their education and football development, with four football-specific classes each week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese classes incorporate both practical and theoretical components, including skill development, game education, strength and conditioning, recovery practices, and access to specialised training equipment.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents will also receive athlete-specific education in areas such as nutrition, hydration, performance preparation, and overall wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an initiative I\u2019m incredibly passionate about, as it creates greater opportunities for young female footballers to develop both on and off the field while pursuing excellence in their education and sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
While she\u2019s never played footy, her love for the game is indisputable.<\/p>\n
A passionate West Coast Eagles fan, Clune coaches her daughter\u2019s team at Wanneroo Junior FC and manages the State Schoolboys & Schoolgirls 14\/15s (School Sport WA) who travel to the National Championships.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen West Perth offered the Welfare position it was the right time to blend my training and experience in wellbeing with my passion for football,\u201d Clune revealed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really enjoy the role and feel lucky to be a part of a program that values female football and the participation of women.\u201d<\/p>\n
The WAFL and WAFLW competitions will hold their annual Think Mental Health Round this weekend, a Healthway initiative where football clubs across the State are encouraged to educate players in recognising and nurturing mental health.<\/p>\n
ATCO are the official naming rights partner for the 2026 WAFLW Season.<\/p>\n
Watch all ATCO WAFLW matches live and free on YouTube @WAFLOfficial and head to wafl.com.au to purchase tickets for upcoming games. \u00a0<\/p>\n
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