West Riding FA delivers female level 1 coaching football course

In March, West Riding FA delivered a female FA Level 1 in Coaching Football course for 29 candidates at A1 Football Factory in Pontefract as part of our work to address the imbalance of male to female coach ratio in West Riding.

The course proved to be a huge success with all 29 candidates passing the course and gaining their FA Level 1 in Coaching Football certificate.

Steve Conboy, Women & Girls Football Development Officer at West Riding FA, said “The course proved to be a huge success with a total of 29 females attending, more than double the number that we were expecting.

Following feedback from those females who have attended the level 1 course in the past and those looking to attend, it was stated that a female only course would be a more comfortable and less intimidating environment to be a part of.

We created a bursary using our Women & Girls budget in a bid to encourage students from colleges and schools to attend the course and help create the next generation of female coaches.    

As well as opportunities to get involved with coaching roles at the A1 Football Factory the girls were also invited to volunteer with the Leeds United Foundation to assist at one of their 64 SSE Wildcats centres.”

Julie Chipchase, FA Regional Coach Development manager said “This course is a huge step forward in West Riding to increasing the number of qualified female coaches we have volunteering in the grassroots game and will hopefully provide inspiration to other females considering starting their coaching journey.”

FA Coach Mentor Les Wilson attended the final day of the course to inform the girls of the opportunity to receive free mentoring support to aid their development as a coach.

Les said “Very impressive course both in terms of numbers attending and the quality of candidates and tutors.  Evidence that the women’s game has a bright future in West Riding.”

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