The event at The Pingle School in South Derbyshire was the follow-up to the first regional activity that took place in Nottingham in April, earlier this year.
The aims and objectives of the scheme are as follows:
Aims:
- To increase the number of active female coaches in the East Midlands
- To increase knowledge and confidence of active coaches working with groups at 5-11, 11-16 and 17+ years
- To develop more coaches who are qualified to coach the FA Youth Award Level 3 Unit 1 and at Level 2
Objectives:
- To offer an ongoing support network for all female coaches in the region
- For each individual to achieve their own coaching potential
- To develop as an effective coach working with their players
- To develop coaching values and self worth
- To act as an ambassador for the broader coaching community
Co-ordinated by the Girls and Women’s Football Development Officers in the East Midland’s and by Paul Smalley, The FA’s Regional Coach Development Manager, around seventy female coaches have signed up to the scheme .
Coaches will have the opportunity to attend various courses and support activities in their home Counties, whilst also the chance to attend the five regional events that are organised for all coaches at each one of the five partner Counties over a period of around 18 months.
Saturday saw The FA’s Les Howie deliver a workshop on FACA, player development and coaching pathways and also a session from Derbyshire’s Young Leader Emily Simpkins who spoke about her experiences as a young leader through The FA’s Leadership Programme and in her role as an apprentice coach at Derby County in the Community.
The afternoon was largely practical based with sessions delivered by guest coaches Marion Hayton from Leicestershire & Rutland County FA, Sarah Green from Nottingham Forest Girls Centre of Excellence and Mark Kearney and Emma Dennis from The FA’s Tesco Skills Programme.
England’s Sue Smith also attended the event and through her question and answer session, demonstrated her enthusiasm for the game and especially in terms of her coaching experiences. Sue played a massive role in inspiring the attending female coaches and her appearance generated much discussion and excitement throughout the day!
Derbyshire County FA’s Keely Brown said, “It was a fantastic day and great to see so many female coaches from across the region, taking advantage of the networking opportunity and also tapping into the knowledge and expertise of our guest speakers and coaches. I would like to thank everyone for their support and contribution to the day and especially Sue Smith who was due to fly out to Germany the very next day”.