Women and Girls Football within West Riding took a huge step forward this month, following our inaugural female specific CPD event.
The first of its kind event was held this month at Fleet Lane, the headquarters of West Riding County FA. The event, which was uniquely tailored to the ‘Social and Psychological’ side of the female game, is indicative of the emphasis placed upon Women and Girls Football by West Riding CFA.
Predictably, there was a huge appetite amongst our grassroots coaches for the event and their enthusiasm undoubtedly played a huge part in creating the energetic and lively atmosphere on the night. Close to 50 pro-active coaches were in attendance, from clubs right across the county.
This soon-to-be-series of CPD workshops around “coaching the female player” kicked off by focussing on the ‘social’ and ‘psychological’ elements of the game. Following the FA’s four corner model it will progress to cover the ‘technical’ and ‘physical’ characteristics over the course of next season.
Caroline Hulme, Women and Girls Football Development Officer at West Riding CFA remarked “it is crucially important to understand the psychological aspect of the female game, as traditionally it has been largely overlooked. It’s amazing how seemingly modest behavioural changes can be the difference between whether girls stay involved in football for life, or disappear from the game”
The course was facilitated by FA Skills coaches Emma Coates and Ben Hardaker. Emma’s experience at the highest echelons of the female game proved invaluable for the coaches on the night, with many able to relate to her accounts of historical coaching methods and the changing face of the female game.
An attendee from Castleford White Rose, (a local Charter Standard Development club) remarked “It’s fantastic to see West Riding (County FA) are working closely with clubs like ours to develop women and girls football. From attending the course we learned so much about all the other initiatives taking place. It was great to hear about the PDC and understand how our young, talented, female players can access an age-appropriate training programme”
The dates for the next stages of the course will be published online in the coming weeks. If you would like to know more about women’s and girls football, specifically the Player Development Centre, contact Caroline Hulme at West Riding County FA. Caroline Hulme (Football Development Officer) – caroline.hulme@wrcfa.com – 0113 282 2358
She Kicks – the online news service for women’s football
