Recognising Excellence: Head of Performance, Brad Cathie
- Kerry Ashbrook
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 5
At the Port Melbourne Chargers Women’s Football Club, our inaugural season has been shaped not only by the passion of our players, but also by the extraordinary dedication of the people behind the scenes. One of the most influential has been Head of Performance, Brad Cathie.
At the club’s Best & Fairest, President Kerry Ashbrook spoke on behalf of the club, paying tribute to the coaches whose commitment, care, and integrity have built the culture we are so proud of today.
Among them, Brad has stood out for his outstanding leadership and his ability to connect deeply with every player in the squad. He doesn’t just focus on stats and fitness plans—he invests in building trust, belief, and confidence.
It is for these reasons that Brad was recognised with the Kerry Ashbrook Award presentation—
the club award that celebrates passion, commitment, and living our values of Community, Integrity, Passion, Respect and Excellence every day.
Building Trust, Driving Growth
As the Head of Performance, Brad’s role is clear: keep injuries down, player satisfaction and performance up. But how he delivers on this goal is what sets him apart.
Brad takes the time to truly know each player—their strengths, challenges, and motivations. This personalised approach has driven growth across the squad, ensuring that every Charger feels seen, supported, and capable of more than they thought possible.
Charging Forward Through Strengths
As part of the Charging Forward Strengths Leadership Program, our committee, coaches, and
player leaders all completed their CliftonStrengths profiles.
Brad’s profile couldn’t have been a better fit for his role. It reads like a blueprint for success in women’s sport:
Relator, Harmony, Responsibility, Belief, Consistency – the foundation of trust and stability.
Analytical, Deliberative, Maximizer – the discipline to measure, refine, and raise standards.
Adaptability, Learner – the flexibility and curiosity to keep evolving with the game.
This rare blend has allowed Brad to bring both science and empathy into his work, balancing performance metrics with the wellbeing and confidence of his players.
A Coach Who Believes in Women’s Sport
In football, many coaches still chase the perceived status of men’s teams. Brad is different.
He’s clear in his passion: coaching women is not a stepping-stone—it’s the destination. He has often spoken about how grateful he is to have had the opportunity to work in women’s football, and that passion shines through in his commitment.
His impact this season has been nothing short of phenomenal. From reducing injuries and building confidence to shaping a professional, high-performance environment, Brad has left an indelible mark on our inaugural year. The respect and trust he has earned from players is testament to his approach.
The Bigger Picture
Brad is exactly the kind of leader our women’s game needs to keep building momentum. His ability to connect, adapt, and lift standards makes him more than a performance coach—he’s a culture builder.
While we know that we will know we will not keep Brad at our club forever, as he is destined to grow women’s sport, we are so grateful to have had Brad with us for our inaugural season.
As we celebrate the success of our first season, we’re proud to acknowledge Brad not just for what he’s done for the Chargers, but for what he represents: the future of coaching in women’s sport.
Connect with Brad to on LinkedIn to follow his continuing journey in coaching women's sport
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Supported by Life You Choose and Salta
The Charging Forward Leadership Program, proudly supported by Life You Choose and Salta Properties. Together, we’re investing in the growth and development of our people — building leaders who bring purpose, connection, and strength both on and off the field.
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