Female football is one of the fastest growing sports in terms of participation in the UK, and with the Womens FIFA World Cup taking place this summer, the Guernsey FA will be highlighting the many positive changes that are being seen locally with female football participation.

Previously, the GFA has highlighted the work being delivered to support aspiring coaches of the future through delivery of the Junior Football Leaders Award at Ladies College. However, it is important to also acknowledge those female coaches currently supporting the local game and who serve as role models for future aspiring female coaches. In addition to the GFA’s own female coaching role model, Joelle Pengelley, there are several other female coaches currently active in Guernsey clubs and the GFA recently spoke with three of them, whom are all coaching at Sylvans, to find out how they became involved and why they enjoy being part of football in Guernsey.

Charlene Carter

I am a Level 1 football coach and assist my daughter, Katie Watson, to coach the Sylvans Year 2 group and will lead sessions when she is unavailable. I first got with coaching when Sylvans needed more coaches and because all of my grandchildren are involved in football, which itself stems from my two daughters playing as well when they were younger.

To support my work as a coach I completed my Level 1 football coaching qualification and have also completed courses in Safeguarding Children and Emergency Aid. I also have other fitness based qualifications, including health related fitness for children, which really helps when coaching the young children at Sylvans.

I love coaching because it gives me the great satisfaction of watching children enjoy sport, burn off some energy and run around with smiles on their faces. I would certainly recommend more women become coaches as I think that in this day we are all equal and encouraging more girls/ladies to get into football would be great for the sport itself.

Katie Watson

My role within local football is the Lead Coach for the Sylvans Year 2 age group, and I originally got involved with coaching at the club because my son was moving from year 1 to year 2 and the club needed a coach so I was asked if I’d like to do it. I had previously been involved with coaching within girls football quite a few years ago so had some experience.

I have completed my Level 1 coaching qualification and am currently working towards completing the Level 2 qualification.

I love seeing the children enjoying their football and playing a part in their football development.

If you enjoy football and want to get involved, there should be no barriers. I’ve encountered nothing but support from the club and parents, and also from the GFA throughout my coaching qualifications and their mentoring scheme and I would certainly recommend more females get involved within local football.

Anna Gauvain

I have been coaching for over eight years and now have several roles in football as I coach both the year 4 and year 8 age groups at Sylvans , and am also the Minis coordinator at the club. I originally got into coaching because I got itchy feet on the side-line watching my son play in year 1 and I have always loved football. 

I am a Level 1 qualified coach and currently hoping to pass the Level 2 course, which I have been doing through the GFA. In addition I have also completed the FA Youth Award Module 1 qualification.

The thing I enjoy most about coaching football is seeing the kids enjoy themselves, making new friends and the improvement in those players and teams along the way that we can help achieve.

I would definitely recommend other females get involved in coaching football because coaching football isn’t all about the technical and tactical side of things, you need to be a good listener, interact well with children and adults and to be committed. You can learn more about football through the GFA courses and gaining experience in friendly local club environments. I’ve met so many people through coaching and also gained a lot of personal confidence and enjoyment out of it.

In Guernsey there are currently 198 teams playing affiliated football across all ages from 5 years old to Veterans, but only 10 females are involved with coaching amongst the local clubs. As Charlene, Katie and Anna have highlighted, there is a great feel good factor to being involved in coaching football with the intrinsic reward of seeing the responses from the children and their enjoyment of the sport making it all worthwhile. Even if you have no knowledge of football the FA Coaching Qualifications are a great introduction to the sport and are there to provide guidance and knowledge of the game.

If you are interested in becoming involved in football, don’t feel restricted due to your current understanding of the game. It would be fantastic to see more females involved in coaching football and there should be no limitations.  The FA Level 1 in Coaching Football is the first stepping-stone on the core coaching pathway and will provide you with an introduction to coaching the game and working with players of all ages. You will gain insight into the game in England, how it is played and how you can coach to better support the development of future players.

If you are interested in attending an FA Level 1 in Coaching Football please contact Guernsey FA, Football Development Officer, Angus Mackay:

Tel – 01481 200443

Email - Angus.Mackay@guernseyfa.com