Ian Wilkins – Pennant Hills AFL Club Women’s SFL U20’s Head Coach
Ian Wilkins will lead the Pennant Hills Demons’ Sydney Football League Women's U20's side in the inaugural season in 2027.
Ian is a four-time premiership coach with a decade of experience developing girls' and women's Australian Rules football across school, junior and senior competitions. Beginning his coaching journey at St Ives Junior AFL Club in 2017, Ian has been instrumental in establishing and growing girls' football programs, including the AFL program at Loreto Normanhurst in 2019, which he continues to lead. During this time, Loreto's Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams have regularly featured in finals competitions.
His coaching experience spans junior development through to Women's Premier Division, including premiership success with St Ives and the inaugural Women's U20s competition in 2024 with the Parramatta Goannas. In 2026, Ian became the inaugural Head Coach of the Pennant Hills Women's U20s, establishing a new pathway for young women transitioning from junior to senior football and guiding the team to the finals in its first season.
Ian's coaching philosophy is built around player development, opportunity and belonging, creating environments where young women can grow in confidence, challenge themselves and continue their football journey.
Coaching History
- 2017–2025 | St Ives Junior AFL Club: Established girls' football in 2017, reaching the Grand Final in the inaugural season. Coached across junior age groups, securing three premierships, including consecutive U17 Girls Division 2 flags in 2024 and 2025.
- 2019–Present | Loreto Normanhurst: Founded and continues to lead the school's girls' AFL program, with Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams regularly reaching finals.
- 2021–2022 | Macquarie University AFC: Expanded into senior women's football coaching, contributing to the Women's Premier Division program.
- 2024 | Parramatta Goannas / Macquarie University Alliance: Coached within the Women's Premier Division alliance and helped establish the inaugural Women's U20s team, winning the competition's first premiership.
- 2026–Present | Pennant Hills AFC: Inaugural Women's U20s Head Coach, Women's Premier Division Assistant Coach and contributor to the Club's Women's Pathways Program.
Coaching Achievements
- 2020: St Ives U18 Girls Premiership
- 2024: Inaugural Women's U20s Premiership — Parramatta Goannas / Macquarie University Alliance
- 2024: St Ives U17 Girls Division 2 Premiership
- 2025: St Ives U17 Girls Division 2 Premiership
- 2019–Present: Established and developed Loreto Normanhurst's girls' AFL program, with multiple finals appearances across Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams.
- 2026: Established Pennant Hills' inaugural Women's U20s team and guided the team to the finals in its first season.
Latest Coaching Accreditation
State Level, Gold
Statement on 2027 Appointment
"I'm really pleased to be continuing with the Pennant Hills Women's U20s in 2027. What we started in 2026 was about much more than putting a new team on the park. It was about creating a place where young women could continue playing football, challenge themselves, develop as players and, most importantly, feel that they belong.
I'm incredibly proud of our inaugural group — The Originals — and what they achieved together in our first season. For me, the most exciting part of coaching is watching young players grow, not just as footballers, but as people, and helping them see what's possible when they back themselves and each other.
I'm looking forward to welcoming back our returning players, introducing some new faces and continuing to strengthen the pathway from junior football into senior women's competition. We've laid some really good foundations. Now it's time to keep building. Built, Not Bought."
