The FA Launches New Women’s Coaching Initiative
February 26, 2021
The English Football Association's (FA) new Coaching Excellence Initiative is ‘developing and connecting’ high performance coaches working in the elite women’s game. The initiative follows a record number of female coaches taking their FA Level 4 (UEFA A Licence).
14 coaches were selected for the inaugural 18-month programme, providing them with a bespoke, high-quality coach development experience underpinned by regular one-to-one support from a dedicated team of mentors.
The coaches will receive individual and collective learning opportunities at regular workshops and interventions to support their individual and collective needs, unique to the experiences faced in women’s football.
Delivered annually via group gatherings in high performance environments, peer mentoring and individual support, the programme will advance the coaching and leadership ability of a group of senior coaches, including the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, FA Women’s Championship and the England Women’s pathway.
The coaches selected for the 2020-21, following an application process, include Birmingham manager Carla Ward, Aston Villa head coach Gemma Davies and Bristol City boss Tanya Oxtoby. Former Tottenham co-boss Karen Hills and ex-Liverpool manager Vicky Jepson are also among the 14, plus England Under-17s head coach Gemma Grainger.
The FA says the programme will become a mainstay of its commitment to its ‘Inspiring Positive Change’ strategy, a pledge to create a sustainable future for women’s and girl’s football in England. 14 to 18 coaches – 75% of whom will be female – will be supported via the programme each season.
“The Coaching Excellence Initiative is central to our commitment to see the top coaches in the women’s game become the very best they can, providing them with the development and learning opportunities to achieve their potential and fulfil their ambitions,” said Audrey Cooper, Head of Women’s Coach Development, The FA.
“This programme will also support our broader ambition to normalise women in football coaching, shining a light each year on aspirational, relatable and credible female role models for future generations to be inspired by. Whether you are female or male, it’s my belief that there’s never been a more exciting time to be a coach in the women’s game.”
The inaugural 18-month programme started in August 2020 and has so far seen the coaches receive formal learning opportunities through group events held online, as well as virtual small group meet-ups, peer to peer learning and sharing and one-to-one mentoring.