Gold Coast’s AFLW team is set for an influx of wisdom after the club secured former Indigenous AFL star Darryl White for its inaugural campaign in 2020. 

White was announced as an assistant coach, with a focus on the backs and rucks, on Friday last week alongside the club’s first AFLW Coaches’ Partner Kool Kids Training College.

Speaking to SUNS Media, the triple Premiership-winning defender said he couldn’t wait to be involved with the women’s program. 

“It’s a great opportunity for the AFLW Gold Coast SUNS ladies and obviously an opportunity for us coaches too to go out there and put it all together and hopefully a great season comes about,” White said.

“We’ve got some exceptional talent there and with the 30 girls we’ve got it’s a great opportunity for all. 

“We’ve got a decent mix but obviously the abundance of them are from Queensland so I’m looking forward to it.”

White’s illustrious AFL playing career came to a close in 2005, the same year he was selected in the Indigenous Team of the Century and named captain of the Indigenous All-Stars team.

After retirement, White went up to play in his hometown state in the Northern Territory Football League, before linking up with AFLW Senior Coach David Lake at Mt Gravatt in Brisbane.

He then went on to play five seasons in the Central Murray Football League in northern Victoria before returning to Queensland to coach and play.

White said his extensive footballing CV would hold him in good stead in his new role as an AFLW assistant coach.

“Obviously (I have) a lot of experience there but (my style is) more fun, getting to the point, and straight-talking. 

“I think the skillset of the girls I’ll be really looking at.

“Other than that I’m just going out with Lakey and the rest of the coaching staff just to help the girls out and hopefully we can develop them and get a few wins on the board.”