Castlemaine Football Netball Club has announced its inaugural Senior Women’s football coach for the 2022 Central Victoria Football League – Women Season as former CFNC Youth Girls U18s footballer and ex-AFLW player Tiahna Cochrane.
Tiahna has most recently played for Golden Square Football Netball Club and in season 2021 was winner of the Champions IGA goalkicking title for 40 goals in 11 matches and later announced as a key forward in the High Street X-Ray Team of the Year.
While her football career started locally at Castlemaine, the versatile player quickly progressed to play for powerhouse Bendigo Thunder, winning a premiership in 2017. That same year she shared the club’s Best and Fairest award and was also named the Northern Football League women’s coaches ‘Player of the Year’.
From there, Tiahna was selected by Carlton Football Club as pick No. 5 in the AFLW rookie draft 2017, following in the footsteps of her great uncle Trevor Keogh who was a Carlton Team of the Century member. Her uncle Rod Keogh also played for St Kilda and Melbourne.
Tiahna will be a playing coach for the CFNC Senior Women’s football team and has been busy behind the scenes preparing for preseason training, which begins November 15. She will be supported by CFNC Senior Men’s football coach, Don Moran, throughout the season.
“The CFNC have been so supportive of women’s football, ever since their first youth girls team, and it is great to see a number of former youth girls premiership players returning to the club as senior women,” Tiahna said.
“The hype around the club in anticipation of the new team is significant, particularly at the junior level. We’ll be undertaking our preseason training alongside the senior men’s playing group who have already been very welcoming and supportive,” she said.
CFNC is pleased to see a number of former CFNC Youth Girls players have indicated their desire to return and play senior women’s football for their home club.
The CFNC Youth Girls were in grand finals each year from 2013-2016 and were league premiers in 2013 and 2015.
“Due to the previous lack of a senior team in Castlemaine these women were formerly required to travel to Bendigo in order to continue playing football, which was a loss for CFNC given their success on behalf of the club in previous years,” said women’s football operations manager Georgia Banks.
“We’re excited to be working with these women again,” Georgia said.
The Cochrane dynasty continues, with Tiahna’s sister Ella Cochrane committed to play for 2022 alongside a number of CFNC former Youth Girls players including Tayla Sartori, Beppina Marshall, Macey Parry, Billie-Lee Humphrey, Brenda Taofinnu, Mya Meemusor, Meg Ginnivan and Cass Humphrey. Recruitment remains open to all community members.
Club president Caleb Kuhle said it was an exciting time for the club.
“Our hope is that the presence of a local team will increase accessibility for women in our region and hopefully encourage more to become involved in playing footy who weren’t previously. It’s a great sport with increased opportunities for sportswomen to progress through various development pathways in our region,” he said.
Anyone who wishes to be part of the CFNC women’s football team is welcome to attend information sessions at CFNC Club rooms, Camp Reserve, Castlemaine at 7pm on Monday October 25, or Wednesday November 3.
Both Tiahna and Georgia will be on hand to answer questions and provide key information. Further announcements will be made via the CFNC’s social media channels and website regarding preseason training. If you wish to make an enquiry, email secretary@castlemainefnc.com.au
