The sky’s the limit for first female Muslim UEFA B coach Annie Zaidi, who last month collected a British Empire Medal having been named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
Known to the players she has worked with as ‘Coach AnnieZ’, the 33-year-old is highly regarded within the English coaching community and has enjoyed spells at several professional clubs.
A role model to many, Zaidi, who attended the ceremony with mentor Michael Bennett from the PFA, works tirelessly to pass on her passion for the sport and inspire young girls and women to realise their potential through her Coach AnnieZ Foundation.
“I’m so humbled by the whole experience,” said Zaidi, who grew up in Ipswich and, latterly, Nuneaton. “But I don’t think I have achieved anything yet as still have a lot to achieve, especially now being on The FA BAME Menteeship programme.
