During late October and early November 13 female coaches took their first steps onto the FA coaching pathway as they undertook their 1st 4 sport level one certificate in coaching football. The course, which was held at Oxshott Village sports club in Surrey, provided the ladies with the skills and understanding they would require when working with youngsters in the local area. The course was tutored by Julie McAuley ensuring an all female presence throughout the course and all those ladies who completed the course could claim 50% of their course fee back from Surrey FA.
Following the completion of the practical element the ladies were required to deliver 6 hours worth of coaching sessions in a local charter standard club. This would then not only make them eligible for a 50% refund, but also for a special invite only development evening at the Fulham girls centre of excellence.
On the 12th December, following completion of the course all the ladies were invited to Fulham girls female centre of excellence. The purpose of the evening was to allow our new female coaches to speak to existing female football coaches who are currently working at elite levels of the female game. They also had a period of time with the centre’s director as well as experienced Surrey FA staff to give in depth discussion around some ideas and practices they can take back into their club.