Why did you become a football coach?
To be honest I hadn't really thought about it until Lisa approached the parents watching the development session on a Saturday morning about helping. She explained how the club was reliant on volunteers to manage and coach the teams and any help was welcome from just being an extra pair of hands to coaching and managing. So I thought why not, if I was watching anyway I might as well help and I used to play football as a girl so I was pleased to be able to support the girls game. I started to help with development and really enjoyed it; then by Spring it was looking likely we would have enough for an U8 team for the following season. Lisa explained how the club would support me to do your coaching qualifications and my daughter was loving playing football and especially enjoyed playing matches so I decided to go for it. I am also very lucky to be joint coach with another Dad - shout out to Sam. I couldn't do it without him. It really is a team effort. The parents are also really supportive and happy to help wherever we need so you don't feel like you are doing it alone.
What training did you undertake?
I have done safeguarding, first aid and my coaching level 1. I could do them online so it made it so much easier to fit in around everything else.
What qualities do you think make a good coach?
There are lots! Patience, commitment, a sense of fun, understanding and positivity - to name a few!
What do you enjoy about being a manager?
I genuinely love all of it. I was a bit hesitant about taking the role initially, wondering if I could balance it with everything else - working, family life with 2 primary age kids and all that comes with it- but it has been a joy. Seeing the girls fall in love with the game, the way they have progressed in such a short period of time, the friendships they have formed. I am so grateful for Hunts Girls FC and my fantastic U8s team for this opportunity and I hope to carry on managing and coaching the team for a long time to come.