Further to the announcement of Nottingham Forest LFC being awarded an FA Regional Talent Centre licence, the club report thay they are positively continuing to recruit quality support to progress.
Steve Stennett, an experienced A Licence coach and also the Head Coach for the Senior Squad, will now head up the NFLFC Regional Talent Centre as Technical Director of Football.
Steve has had much experience in the former model as Centre of Excellences with Nottingham Forest, Stoke City and more recently as Technical Director of Football for Lincoln.
Steve is a much valued Forest Ladies staff member and has also helped in the delivery of technical philosophy to current junior set up at Forest, which has positive impacts already on results and development of the Junior set up.
With the promise, and now delivery, of the RTC, the vision has been for Steve Stennett to give full commitment to the forthcoming Regional Talent Centre. As a result, Forest Ladies have been active over the past months to add calibre resource to steer the 1st Team visions and objectives going forward.
NFLFC are delighted to announce that Craig Nicholls, (formerly of Coventry City Ladies, West Midlands Police WFC and Bristol Academy WFC U-17s). will be joining as 1st Team Manager to work alongside Steve Stennett, who remains as Head Coach.
The partnership looks to be an exciting and dynamic one for the club and Chairperson PJ Andrews says: “We had approached Craig during pre-season of the 2015/2016 campaign, but Craig had decided to take some time out to concentrate on his professional coaching business and personal wedding preparations. However, we have been in touch throughout this season and have been in developmental discussions over many months.
“Steve Stennett and the committee have met with Craig over this time, so that we can both ensure we are on the same page and can share easy communication – alongside the most important factor of Craig’s fit with the senior squad.
“Craig has been to several 1st Team games already and spent quality time with Steve Stennett, which is why all parties are excited about the next steps.”
Andrews concludes: “Craig will be fully introduced to the players this week, so that he can prepare with Steve for an enhanced approach for the 2016/2017 season. We wanted someone with experience, calibre and the ability to motivate and manage alongside Steve’s coaching and cohesion expertise.
“Craig is a highly qualified coach but also very measured when it comes to player and club management. He is fully on board to deliver the club’s wish for developmental programmes, individual plans and a professional approach that has demonstrated integrity and ambition already.
“Craig speaks well of his past experiences and learnings – which is refreshing and bodes well, aligned with his good humour and understanding for team and club ethos.”
Nicholls is clearly excited about the move; “The opportunity to work with such an established club like Nottingham Forest Ladies was always a very easy decision. Everything about the club is done in the right way and I cannot wait to get started with the players and staff to prepare for next season.
“I have watched a few of the games and there is some really quality throughout the first team squad. I feel this team could be a real force next year. Whatever league your team is in you should want to win it and that’s what we’ll be aiming for.
The RTC is also a massive boost for the club and with Steve Stennett working so closely with me, I feel our experience will push the club forward.”
Pictured – Steve Stennett signs Lyndsey Cunningham
Steve Stennett responds: “As we move towards season end, I could not be prouder of our players who have worked extremely hard. It is, however, vitally important to build on this in the new season with support both on and off the field.
“Craig comes with a terrific amount of experience of the women’s game, having spent 2 years with Coventry City and 4 years at Bristol Academy – working with Mark Sampson – and whose passion for the game and women’s football is exactly what we at NFLFC are looking for.
“I look forward to working with Craig to move the club forward and build on what we have achieved this far, I believe we sing from the same hymn sheet – and see the game through the same set of eyes which is important when working together for the same ends.
Ultimately, we both want the very best for NFLFC and it is hoped together we can do just that.”
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