You have to have no fear and a thick skin'

I started coaching boys at the age of 13. At that point I was the only female coach at the club - ’the girl who coached the boys’, as I became known.

In the years since then, I have coached within community, higher education and academy soccer environments.

Gaining that experience within different settings, through years of volunteering and multiple internships, has challenged and benefited me in endless ways.

Coaching alongside men from my early teenage years has encouraged me to become a confident individual, an asset I use to my advantage every day. Being a coach to young men and boys has also enhanced my natural leadership skills.

The biggest challenge I have faced during this time is changing people’s views and perceptions.

I won’t be able to get everyone to be more open-minded or to think differently, but I know I can definitely positively impact a group of players.

Since I have always coached within the male game, I often forget it is not the norm and am confused why people are shocked when they find out what I do. 

"Changing people’s views and perceptions is a very difficult thing to do..."

The first question I am always asked is ’Do they listen to you?’ - and my response is always the same, ’Yes of course they do, I’m their coach’.

Of course, there is always going to be at least one person who doubts your abilities. But as long as my players trust and respect me, I am happy.

I could list endless barriers and challenges I have faced since I started coaching within the male game but, personally, I try to see them more as preparation for the future.

Although it would be great to believe this future is going to be easier, I know the demands and pressures individuals face coaching at the elite level.

I have always had clear ambitions within the male game and there isn’t a barrier or challenge I have faced yet that I have allowed to negatively affect me.

Changing people’s views and perceptions is a very difficult thing to do and the approach is very important.

I am a strong believer in using my voice and I know how important it is to do this to encourage change within the game.

In the past I have used confidence, humour and questions to encourage people to think differently about their views and perceptions. This tactic has definitely worked and made people think.

However, different situations require a different approach and I tend to choose my battles wisely.

I have always been very aware of the challenges in front of me, which is why I have sacrificed a lot to better myself through gaining experience and qualifications within the boys and men’s game.

I tackle every barrier and challenge in the same way - with confidence. I not only need confidence in my own abilities, I also need confidence to lead a team of individuals.

My first piece of advice for those wanting to coach in the male game is you have to have no fear. Any challenge or decision is going to contribute to you gaining a greater understanding of the game, so try to enjoy it.

Coaching in the male game is what I have always done and is all I know, so it is very easy for me to say ‘be confident’ and ‘have no fear’. But, in all honesty, it can be tough and you do have to have thick skin if you want to survive.

My second piece of advice - and this is something I have followed consistently - is to invest in yourself.

If you have aspirations to coach within the male game you must invest in your learning. Qualifications are very important but the value of on the grass experience is unmatched.

The biggest benefit of working in the male game is that the impact you’re having is much bigger than football.

People have a lot to learn, but also a lot to unlearn. One person could see you leading a young group of men and it could completely change their views.

When my coaching journey began at 13, I was innocently unaware of the impact I was having on promoting diversity as a young girl within the male game.

I strongly believe this innocence helped progress and overcome the challenges I faced without doubt or hesitation.

It is now clear to me how influential my role is and it is highly important to me to inspire the next generation of coaches. I have also become increasingly aware that my presence alone within the male game challenges perceptions.

From coaching within academy and higher education football settings, my presence is starting to be accepted as the norm, which I believe is a step in the right direction.

Although for the majority of my career I have been unaware of the social impact I was having, I now know that I must utilise my position in the game to promote positive change and excellence.

However, it is clear that challenging perceptions is just one step and we should want to do more to progress inclusion, diversity and coaching in professional football.