England Football Learning and Nike launch new Game Changers Female Football Coaching Community
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Game Changers has been established to create a vibrant community for female coaches, providing a space to connect with peers, share experiences and support one another. The initiative is founded on a shared ambition to create a more diverse coaching workforce by increasing access to development opportunities and creating clearer pathways for progression across grassroots, talent and elite football.
Throughout the season, The FA and Nike will offer these coaches bespoke technical and personal development opportunities, combining on-pitch and off-pitch learning opportunities to support coaches wherever they are on their journey. Members will be able to access coach development workshops, mentoring, shadowing coaching opportunities, club and community placements, and England Football Learning resources and webinars.
Game Changers forms part of a wider coaching ecosystem, providing visible pathways for women to navigate and access the development opportunities available within the coaching landscape. This includes access to UEFA coaching qualifications, positive action programmes such as the Powerhouse Project, as well as connections with elite talent and performance environments through the Club Placement offer and Mentee Development Programme. The initiative will help support more female coaches to continue their development and progress towards the level of the game that is right for them.
Alongside formal learning, members will become part of a growing network of coaches, coach developers and people working in the game. Through a series of networking events throughout the season, the group will have opportunities to hear from guest speakers, thought leaders and current coaches, gaining insight from people who have navigated their own journeys through football and leadership.
Game Changers reflects a shared commitment from The FA and Nike to create more inclusive learning environments where talented coaches can develop and succeed. By reducing barriers and investing in development opportunities, the programme aims to strengthen representation across every level of football and build up the next generation of female coaches.
As part of England Football’s Made for this Game campaign, Game Changers reinforces the message that women and girls belong in every part of football – not just as players, but as coaches and leaders. Investing in Game Changers will help empower all women and show them that they belong in the game, as leaders on and off the pitch.
EDI Lead – Female Game at The FA, Sharon Muxworthy, said: “We are proud to be partnering with Nike to launch the Game Changers; it represents our shared commitment to creating a more inclusive, diverse and representative coaching workforce. We know there is so much incredible female coaching talent across the country, but access to coaching education opportunities have historically been limited. By working with Nike, we are creating more opportunities for coaches to develop their skills on the pitch, as well as opportunities to grow personally off the pitch and make meaningful and lasting relationships with their peers.”
Senior Director, Nike Social & Community Impact (EMEA), Mariette Brethouwer, added: “Football can grow and thrive when coaches from different backgrounds and perspectives have the opportunity to lead and shape the game. We’re excited to support a community that connects female coaches, supports their aspirations and helps build lasting relationships throughout their coaching journey. Investments like these in the female coaching community are key to how we’re building the future of youth sport and we are proud to partner with The FA on this important initiative.”
Membership for this season’s Game Changers cohort is now open. Coaches at all stages of their journey, from those taking their first steps into coaching to those aspiring to work in the professional game, are encouraged to apply and become part of a community of inspiring female coaches changing the game.
For more information, and to join the cohort, visit the Game Changers homepage below:
MORE: GAME CHANGERS
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