Boasting an impressive background in elite sport, new AFLW High Performance Manager Taylah Jack is ready to make her mark at the Saints as the club eyes a rise up the ladder in Season 8.

As part of our spotlight series for 2023 International Women's Day, she sat down with us to discuss her journey, what she's aiming to achieve with the AFLW squad, and why she's been so proud to call St Kilda home over her short time at the club.

What’s been your journey to the Saints?

I was fortunate enough to start my journey at the Saints a short four weeks ago, so it is probably more fitting to share my story and the events that have led me to this opportunity.  

I started working in the industry eight years ago, initially in internship opportunities that took me across to working in American (Div 1) Collegiate Olympic and Football departments. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, my time was cut short, moving back to Australia to work in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) program.

While I was High Performance Manager of Norwood's senior men's program, I also worked with the South Australian Sports Institute and Cycling South Australia as a Physical Performance Coach.

When the AFLW opportunity with the Saints presented itself, I knew after speaking with staff past and present that it was a club I wanted to be a part of.

What does your role involve?

As the High Performance Manager of our AFLW program, I work closely with our Senior Coach Nick Dal Santo and oversee the planning and management of our players' physical preparation and overall performance. 

Physical conditioning is a fundamental part of my role where a key focus is oversight of our athletes' loads and physical developments. I also measure, assess and report on our playing squad's training outputs to ensure that the activities each training area delivers are completely aligned to the goals of the overall program.

Working with 'Dal', we are able to appropriately design training sessions that adhere to appropriate durations and focuses, with the purpose to reduce the risk of fatigue and injury.

We are really excited to see what is possible for this squad in Season 8!

Taylah Jack is already loving life at the Saints. (Photo: Lucy Edwards)

What do you love about working at the Saints?

There is plenty to love about working at the Saints, from the great relationships that I've started to develop with our AFLW football department, to observing the integration between our AFL and AFLW playing groups, the open-floor office plan that allows you to walk past and engage with other departments, and of course Tess’ (Head of AFLW & AFL Operations Tessie McManus) lolly jar.

The transition to the Saints has been incredibly smooth, and the excitement around the club's 150 years has emphasised the great culture that is St Kilda.

What does it mean to you as a female to work in a largely male-dominated industry?

It's a question that you are asked far too regularly, and one that I get frustrated with at times as it's assumed there is a difference between the two genders working in the sporting environment.

For me, I was challenged eight years ago by someone who told me that I would be less employable based on my gender. Ignorant, naive or simply choosing not to accept that as an outcome in my career, I was willing to play against the odds.

- Taylah Jack

I turn up to work every day and work in my role as one of a handful of graduates from my undergraduate degree still working in the industry.

So, I choose to frame it like this - it is exciting to be part of a legacy that is here to simply normalise women working in sport and help both genders understand that they earn their job titles for being the appropriate fit for the role and not because there is a quota that we need to adhere to. We are fighting a vicious cycle by prohibiting respect in leadership, regardless of your gender. 

Read more profiles on our women at the Saints:

Bree Van Ryswyk - AFLW Player Development Manager/Psychologist

Meg Crocker - Sports Dietitian, AFL & AFLW

EXPLORE