Richmond AFLW backs coach Lauren Tesoriero will depart the Club, ending a five-year tenure with the Tigers’ women’s program.

Tesoriero was an inaugural Richmond AFLW player in 2020 before she moved into the coaching setup for the 2021 season.

The former Collingwood midfielder and Australian international rules representative initially joined the Club in October 2018 as its inaugural AFLW recruiter and a playing VFLW assistant coach.

Tesoriero worked closely with the likes of Grace Egan, Kate Dempsey, Rebecca Miller, Beth Lynch, and Gabby Seymour in the VFLW program, each blossoming into quality elite-level players.

More recently at AFLW level, Tesoriero has been a key mentor for AFLW league best and fairest winner Monique Conti and up-and-coming star Ellie McKenzie.

Defenders Eilish Sheerin (twice), Miller and Harriet Cordner have been named in the All-Australian squad while playing in defence under her tutelage.

The 37-year-old cited work reasons for her departure due to the growing demands of the AFLW competition and the challenges it poses with full-time work.

Tesoriero is completing a plumbing apprenticeship with A.G. Coombs.

Richmond Head of Women’s Football, Kate Sheahan, thanked Tesoriero for her “enormous contribution.

“Lauren has been a mainstay within our football program essentially since the very beginning,” Sheahan said.

“Her outstanding knowledge of football and, particularly, female athletes, has been invaluable for our program, and we are lucky to have had her with us across many roles since 2018.

“We will miss ‘Loz,’ but also understand the balancing act of work and part-time coaching, which she has also managed alongside a coaching role with Mt Evelyn’s Senior Men’s team in the winter months.

“She has had a significant impact on and off the field as a foundation member of our AFLW program, and we certainly hope to see her coaching at the elite level again one day.”