West Midland's enjoy second Regional Female Coach Mentoring Programme.
This week has seen the coaches who are part of the West Midland Regional Female Coach Mentoring Programme undertake their initial week long FA Level 2 coaching course at Shelfield Sport and Community College in Walsall.
The course, which is running from Monday to Saturday, is part of a year long programme in the West Midlands to support female football coaches to work towards and complete their FA Level 2 Coaching Award. With the help and support of mentors and the five County FAs from the West Midlands (Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Shropshire and Staffordshire), all of the coaches have attended pre-course workshops, County support events and guidance from FA tutors to ensure they are as fully prepared to take the course as possible.
With thanks to funding from Sport England, the West Midland Regional Female Coach Mentoring Programme has been able to run for a second year since it was first introduced in 2007. This year's programme has seen an increase in female coaches taking part, with a total of 20 coaches taking the course this week.
The programme, which started in March 2010, has provided workshops, meetings and practical opportunities for the coaches to build up confidence and competence in delivering FA Level 2 sessions prior to the course itself. Coaches have been supported both regionally and locally as a group and within their club, and are given guidance throughout the programme.
Each coach involved in the programme has an assigned mentor whose responsibility is to act as an advisor to the coach, helping to develop the coach in specific areas and providing feedback to coaching sessions that the coach delivers throughout the duration of their FA Level 2 journey.
After the completion of this week’s initial training, all of the coaches will go back to their clubs and community groups to continue their coaching and work to complete their portfolios over the next six months. The coaches will then take their final assessments in February 2011.
Between now and February, the coaches again will receive continued support from their mentors and County FAs and will attend additional training days.
Further information with regards to the programme can be found by contacting each of the County FA Girls' and Women’s Football Development Officer in the West Midlands.
Birmingham FA
Rachael Blunt (Warwickshire) 07870 382223 /
rachael.blunt@birminghamfa.comShelley Gudgeon (Black Country) 07866 501274 /
shelly.gudgeon@birminghamfa.comPolly Fildes (Birmingham) 07813 067860 /
polly.fildes@birminghamfa.com Herefordshire FA
Alexis Lunn-Gadd 07850 655917 /
alexis.lunn@herefordshirefa.com Shropshire FA
Eve Bailey 07810 050169 /
eve.bailey@shropshirefa.com Staffordshire FA
Kevin Staples 07969 294084 /
kevin.staples@staffordshirefa.com Worcestershire FA
Laura Cowlishaw 07786 570602 /
laura.cowlishaw@worcestershirefa.com
