A longtime AFL fan, Gulden got involved when her children started playing AusKick.

As her kids built their skills, so did she, starting a 17-year coaching career that took her from community to club level and now her current position as an assistant coach for the Sydney Swans AFLW. She also coaches the U16 team and assists the U18s in the Swans Academy Youth Girls program.

"It's just extraordinary the numbers of girls that are playing now. It's been amazing to sit back and watch it grow... and to be a part of that and advocate for the girls within the program," she said.

Gulden received a WLIS individual grant last year and is completing one-on-one leadership coaching. She says the course has honed her communication skills, helping to build productive working relationships from the players up to the head coach.

"By going through this process, I feel like I have a lot more substance to my coaching now."

The WLIS individual grants are designed to help women access professional development opportunities, develop specialist skills and enhance existing skills.

Women can apply for individual grants of up to $10,000 to undertake a course of their choice. In the last round more than 50 individual grants were awarded.

Gulden, whose son Errol Gulden is a midfielder for the Sydney Swans, says women should absolutely apply for the grant, describing the one-on-one leadership coaching as an incredible opportunity.

"I can tell I've improved in my confidence and ability to see things differently and to be a leader who is authentic and true to myself".

Applications for WLIS individual grants and online leadership workshops to help women enhance or refresh their leadership skills are now open and close on 30 September 2024.

To apply visit the Womens Leaders in Sport page.