TWO CURRENT AFLW players in De Berry and Áine Tighe have been awarded the AFL Coaches Association women's coaching pathway scholarships for 2026.
The scholarships will see the women participate in an AFLCA study tour to the United States early next year, providing exposure to high-performance environments and college and professional coaches across a variety of sports.
Western Bulldogs co-captain Berry has been a senior assistant with local men's side Panton Hill for the past five years, and has worked with Talent League side Northern Knights.
Fremantle spearhead Tighe has unfortunately had plenty of time to work on her Australian football coaching skills since moving over from Ireland, a torn left ACL (2020) and on-going complications from a torn right ACL in 2024 having sidelined her for a considerable period of time.
While inactive, she currently serves as a development coach with the Dockers as well as with the club's female Next Generation Academy, and has worked with Western Australia's U16 and U18 girls teams and as an assistant coach in the Australia v Ireland representative game.
"Deanna and Áine are both very deserving recipients who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to developing themselves as coaches, drawing on their extensive AFLW playing experience," AFLCA CEO Alistair Nicholson said.
"Deanna brings strong leadership and an impressive breadth of coaching experience across senior and pathway football, while Áine has made a significant commitment to player development through her work at Fremantle and across the talent pathways.
"We need to continue creating opportunities for more women to pursue coaching careers at the highest level. Both Deanna and Áine have enormous potential, and we hope this scholarship provides them with valuable experiences, new perspectives and further confidence to pursue their coaching ambitions."
Berry said she was "incredibly honoured" to receive the scholarship.
"I'm always looking for ways to learn, grow and challenge myself, and I have no doubt this scholarship will provide valuable opportunities to continue developing my coaching skills," Berry said.
Tighe also thanked the coaches association.
"I'm grateful to the AFLCA for their support of women in coaching and this chance to broaden my experience within the high-performance sport coaching environment," she said.
Previous scholarship holders include Alicia Eva, Emma Grant, Christina Polatajko, Tam Hyett, Elise Coventry, Steph Binder and Kate Darby.
