Our Female Coaches | Blackburn Football Club Female Program

Senior Womens Coaches

LUKE PARAMANATHAN (He/Him)

Head Coach Women's Program

Luke got his coaching start at the Blackburn Football Club in 2017, coaching junior boys and girls for 5 years. He credits Blackburn for giving him the passion to take his coaching to the next level. Especially in the girls/women’s space. Luke will be completing his Level 3 AFL Coach Accreditation for season 2023/2024.

He currently also works at the Eastern Ranges as an assistant coach for the U19 Girls, and supports the head coach at the Yarra Magpies Academy (YJFL). His previous experience includes working for Port Melbourne VFLW, in addition to working for AFL Victoria.

Outside of footy, Luke is a high school teacher at Warrandyte High School. He teaches science/biology, runs their AFL Academy, and will be the year 7/8 coordinator for 2024.

DAVID RAMSDALE (He/Him)

Masters Lead Coach

Dave is the kind of guy who jumps in wherever needed and has had several key coaching roles with BFC. This includes as Assistant Coach in Seniors Women 2022 and Development Coach Women 2020 – 2021. Dave is passionate about providing a mentoring role to upcoming coaches and volunteers as well as supporting all players to develop their skills and fitness.

He is famous for song lyrics from the 80s, red frogs and stories about growing up in WA.

In his off-season you will find Dave manning SLSA boats and saving swimmers on Melbourne beaches.

JOHN HOPE (He/Him)

Seniors Assistant Coach

‘Hopey’ as we all know him has been a part of the Red Army for more than a decade since his son and daughter began in Juniors. As a dad he appreciates seeing his children supported in a values led club. In 2019 he got handed the stats board and has had a laser focus on the game ever since. A super friendly club man he adds value by ensuring that drills keep moving at training and that club mascot Milly gets to games on time.

In his down time, he keeps fit running and ensuring Milly gets all the walks she needs around Blackburn Lake.

KIELLY RYAN (aka Ki) (She/Her)

Masters Assistant Coach

Ki steps into the role of Assistant Coach with a great passion for footy and a resume to match.

She played her first season at Geelong East Football Club in the early 2000s before making her way to the Waverley Warriors in 2019, joining the women’s masters team.

In 2021, she added coaching to her credentials, keen to show the world that being deaf is no barrier. She coached the U10 girls at East Malvern Junior Football Club for two seasons and in 2023 became the head coach of the U14 boys at Noble Park Football Club.

While her 2023 preseason has been interrupted by a serious injury, Ki hopes to combine assistant coaching with playing in Blackburn’s masters team.

Respect, patience, support and clear communication underpin Ki’s coaching philosophy, along with a desire to share her football knowledge and create a positive environment for all.

KAMAHL COGDON (aka Cogs) (She/Her)

Masters Assistant Coach

Facing season 2023 on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury, Kamahl had the choice to watch on as a spectator or to get involved with her masters team in a different way. She chose getting involved.

She moves into an Assistant Coach role at Blackburn with a season as a junior coach at the Waverley Park Hawks already under her belt. She’ll be back coaching the Hawks U16 girls in 2023 along with assisting at Blackburn.

Cogs, as she is known, is passionate about footy and ensuring females of all ages get to enjoy it as much as she does.

She first played for the Box Hill Mustangs women’s team in the 1990s while in her 20s. But with little support for female players back in those days, she drifted away from the sport until rediscovering her footy passion in 2019 at the Waverley Warriors.

She moved to Blackburn’s inaugural masters team the following year and was joint winner of the team’s Best and Fairest in 2022.