We spoke with Annie Zaidi, who coaches the U-11s at Leicester City FC Girls’ Centre of Excellence and is an Ambassador for Sporting Equals and Slenky Shots.
Her aspiration is to become a fully qualified FA Tutor and to coach elite players of both genders on a full-time basis. She speaks with She Kicks about her experiences as a football coach.
SK: How did you get involved with football and why coaching?
AZ: I used to play football but back then women’s football wasn’t as big as it is now, especially for women in my ethnic community, it was taboo. I come from a traditional Asian-Muslim-Pakistani background so it was not a no-go area but it raised a few eyebrows. I thought if they take my boots and ball away the one thing they can’t tamper with is my passion and the second best thing to do if I could not play was to coach.
SK: Current coaching qualifications and how did you obtain them?
AZ: I’m working towards my UEFA B licence. I’ve done my FA Level 2 and I’ve also done my youth modules 1, 2 and 3. The UEFA B Course was paid for by The FA Coach Bursary Programme, the rest came out of the “fund of AZ” – my own pocket, basically.
SK: Did coaching come naturally to you? How have you changed as a coach?
AZ: Yeah. I’m a youth worker, so I love delivering sessions, training programmes. It’s like teaching, but on the pitch, so I’m using skills that I’ve got already and just implementing them in a football environment. It means I get the best of both worlds; I’m coaching players but also developing them as individuals.
As a coach I’m becoming more focussed. My sessions used to be static; they weren’t realistic to the game but the more the courses I go on, the more I watch and the more opportunity I have to coach at different levels, the more I realise that all of my sessions have got to be more focused on the end product. There’s no point doing a session on passing if you don’t understand why you’re doing it and what benefits it has to team. I’m not just doing The FA courses I’m doing my own studies as well. I’m reading a lot and what stands out for me is that ‘simplicity is the key’.
SK: In January, you became the Chair for the Black and Asian Coaches Association (BACA), what role did this organisation play in your coaching career?
AZ: If it wasn’t for Wallace Hermitt, who was the co-founder of BACA, I wouldn’t be where I am today. A lot of organisations, both national and local weren’t taking me seriously. When I met Wallace, four years ago, he saw something that no one else did. He saw the potential in me and that was without me talking about my coaching. One thing he said was, “it’s always nice to have someone believe in you before you start believing in yourself.” That’s quite poignant I think.
SK: You’re working with Anglia Ruskin University in developing the BA (Hons) Coaching for Performance in Football degree. What advice can you give to any young women about the role of education within coaching?
AZ: I’m impressed with the degree. I think education and coaching work hand in hand. For example, because I didn’t play the game at the highest level I’ve been told in order for me to develop into an elite coach I need to become a student of the game rather than a player of the game and that’s quite important. To educate others you need to be educated yourself in that field.
SK: What does the future hold for Annie?
AZ: I wish I knew! I sacrificed a really well paid job last year so I can focus and follow my dreams.
SK: Would you be up for replacing Mark Sampson as head coach? (tongue-in-cheek)
AZ: No, because Marieanne Spacey’s the top coach! She’s been my coach educator, she delivered some of the courses I was on and her knowledge on football is so empowering. I’m in awe of her. She could always make me her no 2.
Annie is working closely alongside the BSC (Hons) Coaching for Performance in Football programme from Anglia Ruskin University. Visit anglia.ac.uk/shekicks to find out more or read below for more information about the degree.
BSc (Hons) Coaching for Performance in Football from Anglia Ruskin University
This online degree allows players and coaches to study the theories, concepts and techniques behind successful coaching, whilst putting them into practice on the pitch.
First developed in consultation with Premiership, Championship and League Clubs and endorsed by the likes of Hope Powell and Nigel Adkins, this unique degree promises to add depth and breadth to the coach’s toolkit. Now Annie Zaidi’s involvement adds another dimension, giving valuable insights for female coaches and coaches of the women’s game.
With the recent launch of work placement programme with Southampton FC Academy, and a record intake for September, the degree offers a flexible and unique career development opportunity for aspiring and career-minded coaches.
SHE KICKS – the online community for women’s football
