The Rudy’s Boxing coach previously lead Deakin University for two years in the Warrnambool and District league, and has also coached cricket and basketball sides.

On top of that, Ryan spent several years as a runner for AFL clubs Melbourne and Carlton.

He was also there to take the warm-ups when Kevin Sheedy led the Australian side out against Ireland in the 2005 International Rules series.

“I’ve listened to some of the great coaches – maybe I’m not quite in the same echelon as them,” Ryan laughed.

Now, he will lead the Old Collegians team in the inaugural AFL Western District and AFL Wimmera Mallee Female Football League season.

The Warriors were a late inclusion in the eight-team under 18 girls competition, which also features Hampden teams South Warrnambool, Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton, as well as two Horsham sides and another from Stawell.

Old Collegians will run its first training session at midday on Wednesday at Davidson Oval – a venue former Warrior Ryan is very familiar with.

His family has had a heavy involvement at the club, from his father through to his daughters, who will look to play for the new football team when they are old enough.

The Ryan family has held down roles as players, trainers, league representatives, president, canteen workers, goal umpires, coaches and water boys, among others, over the past 50-60 years.

“I actually played in a couple of premierships at Old Collegians years ago, so I’m going back to where it all began,” Ryan said.

“We’re having a training run on Wednesday so we’ll see how it all goes. We’ll try to mould a bit of a team together … (then) maybe next year we can hit the ground running.

“I’m really excited about it because this concept of female footy is really getting wings.

“We’ve got a lot of female boxers in our gym. I’m really interested in female sport and pushing it forward.”

Ryan said the Warriors were looking at a solid base of 16-17 players already, but were hopeful of building it up towards 20 or even thirty.

The AFL Western District FFL will see each team play seven home and away games with a bye before a round-robin finals series.

Old Collegians will take on Portland Tigers in their opening clash on Sunday, May 7, with their first home game to be played against Warrnambool Blues on May 14.

The league, which is open to female footballers aged 13-18, will see some modified match rules allowed.