Peta Searle
Yarraville,VIC
Summary
Experienced AFL leader with 20+ years in high-performance sport, talent development, and inclusive coaching pathways. Skilled in identifying and advancing talent through local, state, and national programs. Holds Level 3 AFL Coaching Accreditation and extensive experience in pathway coaching, draft concessions, player development plans, and data-driven talent strategy. Committed to promoting wellbeing, fostering inclusion, and establishing sustainable pipelines for AFL/AFLW readiness.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
National High-Performance Director
Softball Australia
01.2024 - Current
- Designed and implemented a national performance system aligned with AIS frameworks, resulting in greater athlete progression consistency and elevated program benchmarking across all state and territory pathways.
- Implemented Hudl across cross-state development programs, enabling decentralised video review and talent tracking, which improved recruitment efficiency and enhanced coach-athlete feedback loops nationwide.
- Led national compliance and wellbeing initiatives, achieving embedding a proactive wellbeing culture that increased athlete engagement and across all high-performance squads.
- Directed national tournaments, ensuring compliance with regulations while maintaining high-quality experiences for participants.
Coach Developer & Consultant
AFL / AFL Victoria / Essendon FC
01.2014 - 12.2024
- Delivered coach education and inclusive development programs that increased coaching capacity across community, school, and elite levels, resulting in improved coach retention and expanded participation in underrepresented groups
- Led national talent identification across Indigenous and multicultural programs, successfully progressing athletes into AFL and AFLW development pathways and strengthening diversity within club and state-level talent pipelines
Head of AFLW Program
Haileybury College
01.2015 - 10.2024
- Created and embedded curriculum and coach development framework for Haileybury’s AFLW program, resulting in multiple student-athletes being drafted into AFLW and increase in coach capability across all year levels.
- Oversaw end-to-end development pathways, directly contributing to sustained pipeline of AFLW-ready talent and marked rise in program recognition at the state and national levels.
Senior Facilitator – Leadership & Culture
Victoria Police
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Delivered executive coaching and values-driven cultural transformation programs, resulting in improved team cohesion, leadership accountability, and measurable uplift in staff engagement across key operational units.
- Integrated leadership development initiatives with organisational performance metrics, aligning individual growth plans to strategic objectives and driving observable behavioural change and operational performance improvements.
Senior Coach & Head of AFLW Pathways
St Kilda Football Club
01.2014 - 01.2021
- Directed AFLW list build and talent recruitment strategy, including successful acquisition of Father-Daughter athletes under draft concession rules, strengthening long-term list profile
- Designed and delivered targeted talent ID initiatives and introduced high-performance training innovations, such as iPad-based decision-making tools and indoor cognitive drills, which enhanced athlete development efficiency and readiness
- Coached and developed over 23 players drafted from the VFLW program into AFLW, evidencing a consistent and effective pathway from second-tier competition to elite-level performance
Education
Bachelor of Education -
Deakin University
Melbourne, VICSkills
- Talent Identification & Draft Pathways - Led list development and player recruitment for St Kilda AFLW through VFLW and youth pathways, including draft concession recruitment of Father-Daughter athletes Directed and Coach development in the indigenous and multicultural talent carnivals with AFL national programs
- Coaching & Athlete Development - Designed and led player development curriculums at Haileybury and St Kilda FC; over 25 players drafted to AFL/AFLW from VFLW and school programs
- Program & Strategy Leadership - As National High Performance Director (Softball Australia), embedded performance frameworks across decentralised programs Introduced Hudl across age groups to unify recruitment and performance review
- Data Systems & Talent Tracking - Used Smartabase and Hudl for athlete monitoring, performance analysis and talent management Developed digital decision-making tools and elite indoor training programs to enhance cognitive and gameplay skills
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement - Built collaborative development plans across schools, families and pathway clubs
- Governance & Compliance
Board Director at AFL Masters Victoria Metro Deep experience in risk management, safeguarding protocols and program compliance, including WWCC and National Police Check clearance
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of Football Por[Number] in the development of [Project name].
Awards
Order of Australia Medal (OAM) – Services to Australian Rules Football, AFL Female Coach of the Year, Victoria Honour Roll for Women, 100 Most Influential Women in Sport
COMPLIANCE & SAFETY
- Valid Working with Children Check (WWCC)
- Valid National Police Check
Certification
- Level 3 AFL Coaching Accreditation
- Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
- Organisational Executive Coaching (IECL, 2024)
- Ethical Leadership & Values-Based Coaching (2023)
Languages
English
Timeline
National High-Performance Director
Softball Australia
01.2024 - Current
Senior Facilitator – Leadership & Culture
Victoria Police
01.2021 - 01.2024
Head of AFLW Program
Haileybury College
01.2015 - 10.2024
Coach Developer & Consultant
AFL / AFL Victoria / Essendon FC
01.2014 - 12.2024
Senior Coach & Head of AFLW Pathways
St Kilda Football Club
01.2014 - 01.2021
Bachelor of Education -
Deakin University
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