Inaugural West Coast Eagles AFLW coach Luke Dwyer has decided against continuing in the role.

Dwyer, involved in the list build from the ground up, in conjunction with Head of Female Football Adam Selwood, has made the decision in the face of a challenging environment created by the impact of COVID-19.

“Life has thrown up a few twists and turns in the last few months and I have made the decision that I cannot continue in the role,” Dwyer said. “It was not a decision I made lightly, but it came to the point where I had to make the best decision for my family.

“It was great to be involved in the club’s inaugural AFLW season, where we had to deal with a great deal of adversity, and that experience, along with the people involved, will always be special to me.

“The integrity and will of the playing group was exceptional and we could not have asked more of them.”

Initially Dwyer was appointed as a development coach at the club, working with the club’s WAFL-aligned team at East Perth, before accepting the challenge of setting up the club’s women’s team and was a part of the successful 2018 coaching group.

“We are disappointed to see Luke depart,” Chief Executive Officer Trevor Nisbett said. “But we understand the reasons and wish him every success in the next phase of his life.

“He has been with the club for four years, the last couple in the AFLW space and did a terrific job under the circumstances. Luke and Adam Selwood did a great job identifying the right people and players to be involved in the program.”