Northumberland FA's Lionesses Coach Development Programme

WSC: How many coaches have been involved so far?

LM: More than 100 female coaches have registered for the programme to date, since it started in March 2022. 

We have developed a fantastic community of female coaches through the programme, which continues to evolve each season in order to meet the needs and wants of a rapidly expanding number of local female coaches.

WSC: What has the feedback been like?

LM: Extremely positive. An evolving programme requires ongoing reflections, relying on active listening in our interactions with attending coaches.

Those coaches have helped shape the provision, through feedback both in informal conversations and through forms.

We have now provided ad-hoc in-person workshops that encompass going behind the scenes with Newcastle United Women, Newcastle United Foundation Emerging Talent Centre, the Discover My Talent programme and, most recently, delivering a bespoke workshop for aspirational female coaches on an England Lionesses matchday at [Newcastle United’s] St. James’ Park. 

We recognise the value of providing our coaches with regular opportunities to further their learning from in-person coach education.

WSC: Why is it so important to have this dedicated programme available to women in your community?

LM: It is important for our female coaching community to have a safe place to learn, engage and share their opinions and learnings in an environment where they feel supported among other like-minded female coaches. 

Being around coaches on a similar journey, [in terms of their] experience and qualifications, will provide additional relatability among coaches to ease any apprehension around attending our events.

WSC: What are the future plans for the programme?

LM: A clear mission of Northumberland FA is bringing to life the Inspiring Positive Change strategy in our county. 

One of eight points contained within the strategy, which we hope to achieve through the Lionesses Coach Development Programme, is "ensuring we have high standards of coaching practice throughout the women’s game, underpinned by a thirst for ongoing learning, critical thinking and knowledge sharing”.

As we look ahead, we will see new aims and challenges, encompassing engaging more coaches in our female coach development group, improving coaching standards to better prepare coaches for their next qualification, identifying opportunities for paid coaching positions, and increasing diversity in our female coach development group.

case study: ’my confidence has grown. i’ve had nothing but support’

"I have never played football and started off as a mum helping. I recognised quite quickly that there was a gap in my knowledge and skills when it came to coaching football.

"The Lionesses Coach Development Programme has helped me in so many ways. 

"Practically, I have gained a greater understanding of a variety of football practices and how to adapt them depending on the session, while considering the players and their needs. 

"I have more self-awareness about my own behaviours as a coach, how I phrase things during a session and the importance of player development. 

"Most of all, my confidence has grown. At the start of my coaching journey, I focused so much on what I didn’t know, and was quite negative about myself and my ability to coach others. 

"By regularly attending the sessions, I have been able to meet other female coaches. We share our own experiences, while also learning from each other. 

"I have had nothing but support from my peers in the sessions and this has allowed me to attend with confidence and a willingness to learn."

Sharon Harrison
Cramlington United