The club has announced Beck Phillips will return as a playing coach in a new open women's team.

Phillips coached the side in 2015 and said she was excited to return to the club where her football career began.

"Ararat is home to me and I'm really excited to lead the girls I coached as junior players and also to play alongside them," Phillips said.

"I think it makes my job a little easier coaching a lot of the open aged players as juniors and knowing what their capabilities are."

Former junior Storm player, Isabel Kettle has signed on to coach the junior players for the 2020 season.

"It's the first time I've coached but I'm looking forward to being part of the development of junior players in the region," Kettle said.

Ararat Storm will decide on its fate on what league they will play in, in early December.

The club will host a meeting to iron out any kinks before breaking for Christmas and organising start dates for pre-season.

Female football leagues start after Easter, a date yet to be confirmed.

"We'll look at starting preseason in late January," Phillips said.

"It will be decided on when the leagues officially start."

In 2019, Ararat Storm weren't able to field a side, the coaches confident they can build the teams and club back to a sustainable position.

"I think the big difference is there is more growth and pathways in the sport," Phillips said.

"When I first started at Storm there was really no where for the players to continue playing football at a higher level when the season was done.

"Now, there are other leagues you can go to or interleauge games.

"I find there is also more support around coaching and making sure you have the accreditation required."

Phillips said the inclusion of more AFLW teams into the national competition opened more doors for regional players.

"Ella Wood is a perfect success story for a regional player," Phillips said.

"I hope Ella's story inspires young players to believe in themselves and the opportunities which are there for the taking."

Ho, Ho, Ho... while you're with us did you know you can buy a digital gift subscription to the Ararat Advertiser. Give the gift they'll open every day. Buy now here.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from The Ararat Advertiser. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Ararat shire, sign up here.