Inspirational women

The Pitch

Problem statement

The expansion of women and girls football in our area has multiplied three times over the last 18 months. Currently approx 2500 girls and ladies involved in grassroots football in Flintshire. However, only 10% of grassroots coaches are female. With the expectation that in Wales 20000 girls will be playing football by 2025, compared to 8600 currently, the need for volunteer coaches will outstrip demand. In a male dominated sport we feel that having support and guidance from female coaches will benefit girls self esteem , well-being and improve attendance and training to sessions in a sport which has great physical and mental benefits at its core.

Solution

To encourage more women to take up volunteer coaching positions in the area. As an area of high depravity (WIMD index) cost of venue hire and coaching facilities and courses are the main reasons for women entering sport especially at coach level. By removing the cost barriers and providing venues we aim to create a group of like minded individuals to form a group to encourage participation for there own health benefits but to inspire and encourage the next generation of footballers and volunteer coaches to a game which has physical , well-being and community spirit at its core. To create a community focus with our coaches volunteering time to local teams and communities as needed.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

We run a small grassroots club Shotton Town United JFC with players under 12 and below. We have seen the benefits of coaching from both sides, the coach and the player, and the difference good coaching can make to mental health and teamwork. As an all inclusive club, we demonstrate best practice in coaching and development (see recent Sports Wales articles ) and use grassroots football as a vehicle to ensure community cohesion as well as physical activity are at the forefront of of our ethos. Increasing female coaches would be beneficial at is brings another element to coaching and childhood participation due to the encouragement and training styles we have seen other female coaches impleme

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

120 people

Expected impact

Main benefactors will be the communities and sports clubs that our coaches can reach once trained. Utilising coaches to deliver formal as well as fun training plans with the security of knowledge and certification will add confidence in attracting women to the role of coach. We will be able to measure volume of participants, measure the amount of sessions carried out in the clubs and community and ask for feed back such as questionnaires or verbal on what impact the project has had. The need for coaches is increasing and as female football is predicated to expand threef old in the next two years it is imperative that we can attract those that want to coach but due to barriers are unable to at present. We will also measure how many participants want to go onto their coaching journey as there will be no pressure to attain qualification should they just wish to play and train for well being and physical health or as support for those involved.

Track record

We have proved ourselves nationally in Wales as an an inclusive club , with recent articles by the Football Association of Wales , Sports Wales and the National Lottery lauding our commitment to equality and support of our junior members. It is in this spirit of equality and our commitment to the benefits of grass roots football that we believe ,as a club ,that we are well placed to encourage and support women from the side-lines into the game and be able to nurture and support their volunteering journey. We want to mirror the success of our males coaches with this project , by encouraging participation and removing the barriers against progression and change. https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/23512587.shotton-club-makes-sure-every-child-play/