During AFL Women’s Round, hawthornfc.com.au has published a series of articles focusing on the roles of women in football.

We end the series ahead of the weekend’s matches focusing on the role women play as wives and girlfriends of AFL players and coaches.

Caryn Clarkson, the wife of Hawthorn Coach Alastair, tells of the rollercoaster ride she endures as the wife of a senior AFL coach.

Clarkson says though, that being the wife of the Hawthorn coach is similar to that of all wives, given the sacrifices made by both husbands and wives is no different.

“Being the wife of an AFL coach is a big rollercoaster ride,” Clarkson said.

“There are lots of highs, but there are certainly a few lows.

“The sacrifices that you make, are probably the sacrifices that most of you make with your husbands and their work.”

Hawthorn Football Club has the reputation of being a family club, and Clarkson says that perception is certainly true.

Clarkson feels lucky to have her husband appointed as Coach of the Hawks because of that reputation and the welcoming, accepting and encouraging nature that surrounds the Club and the involvement of the families of players, coaches and staff.

“I’m very fortunate that Alastair was appointed to Hawthorn Football Club because it’s a very family orientated club,” Clarkson said.

“Whenever we go to a function or we go to the football, the children are most welcome to go along too, which makes my job a little easier.”

As many can speculate, the result of the Hawthorn match on the weekend has an impact on the moods of the Hawthorn Coach.

Clarkson says, that like most Hawks fans, she prefers winning.

“There is a definite difference between a win and a loss,” she said.

“I love winning because it makes my week so much more enjoyable, not to mention the car trip home from the MCG or wherever we are.”

Given that the Clarkson’s are proud parents, the outcome of the Hawthorn match impacts on their children, too.

“I find that I’m emotionally drained after a loss because the kids (are upset),” Clarkson said.

“It’s their life so they are hoping like crazy that we win.

“When we don’t win, I have to pick them up and say ‘we move onto the next game.”

Clarkson says though, that the most important thing to remember when the Hawks have had a loss on the weekend is that there are always positives to come out of a game.

It is at this point, that the role of the wives and girlfriends of AFL players and coaches becomes crucial because of the support given to their husbands and partners.

“You have to just look at the positives and say ‘okay, we’ve got to wipe the slate clean and start again, we’ve got a wonderful club, we’ve got supportive assistant coaches and their wives, we’ve got great families, and the bottom line is, it is a job,’” Clarkson said.

“We’ve got healthy, happy kids at home, we all have a job at the moment and a lovely house, we live in a great environment, so at the end of the day, we’re ticking all the boxes that we need to tick and hopefully it’ll pay off the next week.’”




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