Coaches of Tomorrow: Rebecca’s story
Thanks to support from our partner, Starling Bank we’re delighted to be able to run the Coaches of Tomorrow programme once again for 2023/24. The deadline to sign up is Sunday 15th October 2023 – if you’re wondering what the course is about and if it’s for you, please read below and watch the video from Rebecca Nichols who took part in the Coaches of Tomorrow programme last season.
‘I never imagined a year ago I’d be doing what I am now but I’m loving every minute of it.’
Rebecca Nichols is one of our Coaches of Tomorrow alumni, having taken part in the first edition of the programme earlier this year.
Working with Starling Bank, we launched Coaches of Tomorrow to give a pathway to women to get into the game of football and that’s exactly what’s happened for Rebecca.
Since completing the course, she’s gone on to join the coaching team at AFC Whiteley – when Rebecca started at the club, they had a girls’ programme but she saw there was massive potential for expansion and she’s now helped to set up three girls’ teams in local leagues.
‘Coaches of Tomorrow is such a massive win for all the girls and clubs around Hampshire as it provides a pipeline of new female coaches into the game. Saints have a voice in the community and this programme is a massive promotion of the women’s game. I never imagined a year ago that I’d be doing what I am now and this will hopefully encourage a lot more women and girls into football.’
What we offer you as part of the Coaches of Tomorrow programme
First of all, it’s important to say you don’t have to be a footballer or a coach and actually, we’re looking for people who don’t already have football coaching experience. Our expert team is here to teach you how to plan sessions, run them and develop players.
And that’s how Rebecca started on the course: ‘Before I joined the programme, I had children who played football meaning I understood the game from the sidelines but I had no coaching or playing expertise, so don’t be put off by not being experienced. Coaching is very different to playing and you don’t have to be a footballer to be a good coach. Nobody expects you to be perfect – you’re learning and seeing what works.’
On the free 15-week programme our support staff and mentors will help you achieve an FA-recognised coaching qualification awarded by England Football Learning, which will set you up to go and coach at grassroots level.
It could open more doors for you too – Rebecca is now signed up to do her UEFA C qualification in February 2024 so that she can take her skills to another level.
You can find more information about the course and where to sign up on our Coaches of Tomorrow homepage.
The sign-up deadline is Sunday 15th October 23:59 and we’ll get in touch with successful applicants by Friday 20th October.
