The FAW welcomed 12 aspiring female coaches to Dragon Park as the Coaching HER Forward programme officially got under way.
Coaching HER Forward reflects the FAW’s commitment to empowering female coaches and creating a more inclusive coaching environment across Welsh football.
The programme, which was announced earlier this year, brings together 12 mentees and 12 experienced mentors over the next year, who will work together to support personal development, build confidence and create opportunities for women to progress within the coaching pathway in Wales.
The opening session provided an opportunity for the mentees and mentors to meet, establish relationships and begin identifying their aspirations for the programme.
Highlighting the importance of the programme, mentee Carys Pugh Jones said: “Sometimes it’s hard, you’re going to be the only female in the room, whereas this programme really helps to get everyone in the same room, to get to know each other and to learn off each other. I thought it would be a good opportunity to develop my coaching career and get to know others in the space…and just to learn off them to become a better coach overall.”
Through a combination of mentoring, experiences and development opportunities, the initiative aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to take the next steps in their coaching journeys.
Fellow mentee Bethan Bushen spoke of the significance of the initiative, saying: “I think this programme, and especially for women in football and coaching, is really, really important because it’s the first of its kind, and I think it’ll encourage more women to get into coaching. I’m really excited to see where it goes.”
The involvement of 12 experienced mentors will play a key role in the programme’s success, providing valuable guidance, insight and support to help each mentee navigate their own development pathway. Mentors include Cymru WU19 Head Coach Nia Davies, WU16 & WU15 Head Coach Warren Holmes and Charlton Athletic WU21 Head Coach Meesha Dudley-Jones.
Mentor Gareth Davies, Cymru Women’s Assistant Coach, emphasised the programme’s wider purpose, saying: “It is more than developing performance. It’s about building confidence, breaking barriers, providing support, opportunities and empowering the next generation of women to believe in their potential, embrace their journey, and achieve excellence both on and off the field.”
With the programme now underway, Coaching HER Forward represents another important step in the FAW’s commitment to developing female coaches across Wales. Through the guidance of experienced mentors and opportunities for continued learning and development, the initiative aims to empower the 12 mentees to reach their potential and play a key role in the future of Welsh football.
