Southend United have announced plans to appoint a new head coach for their women’s team – the first time, they say, that the role will be paid.
According to local newspaper the Echo, it means that head coach Lewis Dodds and assistant April Smith, who were working as volunteers, will therefore be moving on.
“Their passion and dedication have provided a strong platform for future growth, and we are grateful for everything they’ve done to help build the programme to this point,” the club said in a statement.
There was no mention about the time commitment the new paid head coach role would require, but it was described as “another positive step in the club’s commitment to developing women’s and girls’ football in Southend and the wider region.”
The statement went on: “It forms part of our longer-term ambition to establish a semi-professional women’s team within five years, and to provide a clear pathway for local female players to progress within the game.”
Southend United are in Division One South of the Eastern Region Women’s Football League – tier six of the women’s pyramid.
Their team social media accounts have not yet responded to this news.
Southend United: We want to be a club that supports participation at every level of the game
Southend United chairman Justin Rees said: “Since the takeover, our focus in relation to the women’s game has been on better integrating the women’s first team into the wider club and creating more pathways for girls at grassroots level under the leadership of Southend United Community Foundation.
“This appointment will mark our first tangible on-pitch contribution and a small but significant step as we look to help our women’s team progress up the pyramid. We want Southend United to be a club that supports participation at every level of the game, with pathways to professional football for both boys and girls within our city.”
Candidates are asked to send in their applications to the community foundation CEO Dale Spiby, with a deadline of Friday, 31st October.
“Southend United Women represent the top of our female football pathway, which now spans from primary schools and our female development centre to our college football programme and into adult participation with the women’s first team,” said Spiby.
“Bringing in a paid head coach for the Ladies is the next step in strengthening that pathway and ensuring the women’s game continues to grow across Southend.”
