Milkins makes coaching history

By Tayla Kerhaw

HISTORY was made by the Leongatha Knights Football Club this season.

Not only did its Senior Men’s team compete in and win its first premiership game since coming into the Gippsland Soccer League 20 years ago, but it did so under the impressive leadership of the Bethany Milkins.

Bethany made her mark by becoming the first female coach to lead a Senior Men’s team into the finals. 

“We had a thriller of a start to the season. We won the Korumburra Cup, which is our local league’s preseason competition. That was very exciting,” she said.

“Our season was up and down. We had a few injuries, some changes in player circumstances and we’ve struggled with our facilities being rained out.

“Our club celebrates 20 years this year. I have it on authority they won an U19s comp back in the day, but no one can remember them getting through to a final.

“You could not wipe the smiles off their faces. Everyone was early to training Tuesday night (before the grand final). We were absolutely stoked.” 

To top it off, she did it all with her dad by her side – Peter Milkins also coached the Senior Women’s team to another premiership win. 

“I think he’s fantastic, but I’m a little biased,” Bethany said.

“He’s just wonderful. His ability to navigate a team is fantastic. His communication is second to none. I really admire the way he conducts himself as a coach.” 

Bethany was first appointed as coach in 2020, but the season was cancelled due to the pandemic. The 2021 season was also called off halfway through.

“In 2022, we topped the table for the first time ever. Unfortunately, we got knocked out in the semifinals, but it was the first time our Senior Men’s team finished top of the league,” Bethany said.

“To my knowledge, the Gippsland league has never had a female coach coaching the men’s side. I know of one other woman coaching in Victoria – she’s from Sale.”

Bethany gained her C Diploma ahead of her first year of coaching, and previously coached the juniors.

She is the goalkeeper in the Senior Women’s side but chose not to be a player coach, and hadn’t considered coaching the men’s team until she was approached by one of the players.

“I had to do a video assessment for my diploma, so I asked the men’s team to do that for me and it turned into a trial. The club was behind me 100 per cent,” Bethany said.

“We do struggle to get women coaching, and I think that’s across the board in a lot of sports. It’s been interesting, because you don’t really bat an eye when you see a man coaching a women’s team. 

“Most people are wonderful and welcoming. I initially got to do (C Diploma) because Football Australia offered funding for women only.”

Bethany said she was always offered a welcoming environment from the Knights.

“I was lucky when I started. I had friends on the team who knew me quite well. I think maybe there’s some surprise when you first turn up to games, but no one’s ever made me feel unwelcome,” Bethany said.

“They couldn’t be more supportive, it’s wonderful, and when you have success its that validation that the way you do it is just as good as any other coach.”

Bethany described her coaching style as “a little less traditional”, often falling back on her background in teaching.

“I’m not a yeller, I’m all about positive reinforcement,” she said.

“I’ve seen some shocking coaching sideline behaviours. I think I bring a different approach and it’s lovely to see it paying off.”

Bethany’s goal is to continue changing the culture of the sport with respect at its core.

“At the first men’s game I watched, I was yelled at by the opposition coach. I wasn’t coaching at the time, but he was getting quite heated, and I suggested he needed to calm down a bit. He did not react well, and I’ve always remembered that moment. Why would anyone get involved in community sport if that’s the way someone behaves?” she said.

The game is changing for the better in the wake of the World Cup, Bethany said.

“It’s been fantastic, there’s a lot more interest. Not just girls, it’s boys as well. They want to talk about what’s been happening. We’ve had more engagement with the club, more people looking for ways to be involved,” she said.

“We have quite a strong team of girls and we want to keep creating those pathways for them, especially when they are at an age where they start to disengage with sport. 

“You can’t do what you can’t see. We used to watch the A League and those women had full time jobs. Only in the last three years or so have professional female players started being paid a living wage. Now we have kids as young as U12s who are so pumped to see them play. It’s great they can put names to these strong, athletic women.” 

At the Knights, the club saw a drop in female registrations after the pandemic. 

Bethany herself admitted to struggling to return to the pitch but is thrilled to see the numbers building again.

“The quality of the competition now compared to the start of the season is outstanding. We are excited for the next few years to see what growth we can encourage,” she said.

For now, Bethany is unsure what the 2024 season holds for her.

“The club has been so supportive of me, but it’s natural and beneficial for the team to have a change in coach. I’ll be involved in some capacity next season. I think I always will be,” she said.

When asked what advice she would give women thinking about coaching, Bethany said, “give me a call, I will convince you. It’s so rewarding. I would encourage women to give it a go because the skills they have would surprise them.”

Leongatha Knights Football Club will be running a Go Girls program for those interested in giving soccer a go from October 18.