When I was a youth football player, my local team didn’t have a girl's team, so I joined a mixed team. Fast forward 11 years and I was asked to coach the U11 girls at Kiveton Park FC. I’d been out of the playing game 2 years and with no coaching experience, it was daunting to say the least. I went to a Saturday match to meet the team and instantly felt like I’d found where I needed to be which is funny considering coaching wasn’t on my radar at all. If I hadn’t been invited to coach, I can say with almost certainty that I would never have started, and I genuinely don’t know where I’d be now. 

I went on to complete my Level 1 in Coaching in 2017, followed by my Level 2 (UEFA C) in 2019. It was then when I started to think about a career in football. I became a paid coach delivering after school clubs in primary schools and spent more time travelling in my car than actually coaching! But it was a stepping stone to the next opportunity. The turning point for me was when I became a Women’s Football Development Officer apprentice. I found a love for personal and professional development which has supported my growth and opened many doors. 

It hasn’t been easy, it’s a lot of time and effort you have to commit, but for me, it’s worth it. I’ve had moments where I thought about packing it all in, most recently when I delivered a session for my UEFA B, and it went worse than I could ever have imagined. Giving up would have been easy because I knew there was a long road ahead. But with great support around me, and my own dedication, I passed the course. It just took a bit longer than expected. 

I’ve struggled with comparing myself to others but there’s no need! We are all on different journeys and have different experiences. You have to believe in yourself and not worry about what everyone else is doing. Learn from others, take feedback on board, always be willing to learn, but be proud to be you.  

I’ve recently passed my UEFA B qualification alongside my sport development work at Barnsley College and finishing my degree in sport, physical activity and health. I never thought any of that would be possible. My end goal is to be a Coach Development Officer for The FA so I can support coaches as well as players. The dream, however, is to coach full-time for a team in the WSL. 

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”