An Interview with Laura Brady
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women who inspire, lead and make a lasting impact within our Clarendon community. One such remarkable woman is Laura Brady, Co-Head of Senior School, dedicated educator and passionate advocate for women in sport. Beyond her leadership at Clarendon, Laura is an accomplished coach shaping the future of women’s sport in Victoria. She leads our Senior Girls Cricket team while also coaching at an elite level, recently being appointed Senior Head Coach of Melbourne University Soccer Club’s Victorian Premier League Women’s team for 2025.
In this interview, we shine a spotlight on Laura’s journey, her contributions to sport and the lessons she hopes to pass on to the next generation of female leaders.
- You wear many hats—as Co-Head of Senior School, Senior Girls Cricket coach and coach at both a local football club and Melbourne University. What drives your passion for mentoring young athletes?
I think participation in sport is a great place to hone your skills that set you up for life. You learn to work in a team, you learn the importance of working hard, of being humble in victory and gracious in defeat. It is also a wonderful place to learn how to lead and to build confidence. There is a lot of research that shows the correlation between leadership in the corporate world and participation in sport amongst female executives. When I was growing up, the opportunity to be taken seriously in sport was not there and so it is terrific to be involved in an area where there has been so much progress in society.
- Your appointment as Senior Head Coach of Melbourne University Soccer Club’s women’s team is a huge achievement. How has coaching at Melbourne University influenced the way you support young athletes at school?
Returning to Melbourne University Soccer Club has exposed me to young women who are making the transition from school to university and the challenges they face. This experience has helped me, in my role as Head of Senior School, to reflect on how we, as a school, can ensure that our students have the skills and capacity to make that transition as seamless as possible.From a coaching perspective, it has enhanced my football (soccer) knowledge even further to be in an elite environment and that understanding of the game will translate back into my coaching at school.
- You have helped grow women’s sport in Ballarat and beyond. What progress have you seen over the years and what still needs to improve for women in sport?
Women’s sport is increasingly being recognised simply as sport—and that is major progress. In Ballarat, there was a time when the women’s football (soccer) programme had to fight for both a home and the right to exist. Over the past 10 years, the City of Ballarat’s policies have significantly improved access to grounds, making a considerable difference. There has also been a shift in mindset, with clubs no longer viewing female teams as an afterthought but rather as an integral part of their fabric. The Ballarat Courier has long provided strong coverage of women’s sport, and now there is also increased discussion on ABC radio.Fundamentally, girls can’t be what they can’t see, and visibility remains crucial. Interestingly, I believe Ballarat is ahead of many metropolitan areas in this regard. When I was coaching Ballarat City in 2023, we often travelled to clubs where women’s teams were relegated to poor pitches and lacked access to clean changing rooms. In contrast, in Ballarat, women play all of their games on the showcase stadium pitch and receive the same resources, including medical support, as their male counterparts.The next step is fostering the growth and development of more female coaches. Again, Ballarat is ahead in this area, but breaking into coaching and securing opportunities remains challenging for women. It would also be great to see more opportunities for junior girls in the region.
- With so many commitments, how do you balance leadership and coaching and what advice do you have for young women aspiring to lead in multiple fields?
Plan your time carefully and focus on one task at a time. I am far more productive when I have a sole focus, so I eliminate distractions wherever possible. I have also been disciplined with the football club about setting clear boundaries for when I am available for conversations and make the most of commuting time for phone calls and other tasks.There is also value in having multiple experiences—exposure to different areas allows you to build a bank of transferable skills and gain a broader perspective. Finally, it is important that you are doing things that you are passionate about.
- What has been the most rewarding moment of your coaching career so far?
A few years ago, there was a match where we were 3-0 down at half-time and came back to win 4-3. It was a great example of how, by focusing on the process and what you can control, anything is possible! I have also enjoyed the premierships I have won with both the soccer and cricket teams at Clarendon—grand final wins are always special.
- Who is a female role model you admire, and why?
Not from the world of sport, but from my other area of passion—politics—Angela Merkel. Her longevity as a global leader, the compassion she demonstrated in the role and her ability to drive progress, while remaining calm and composed were extraordinary.
- Do you have a hidden talent or surprising skill that people might not know about?
Some people may not know that I do a radio segment every so often, such as the ABC Ballarat Breakfast show with Steve Martin and ABC Statewide Drive.
