The Football Association of Wales’ successful BE. Football: mentoring programme has opened applications for its fourth year.
The BE. Football: mentoring programme encourages women, aged 18+, who are working, volunteering or keen to progress into careers in the football industry to apply to be a mentee of the programme.
The programme was a great success in 2024, with 16 mentees from across Wales and 16 mentors from the FAW and the association’s trusted partners participating.
The programme aims to build the confidence of the participants, to aid their progression in football, whilst developing the skills required to achieve their full potential in their desired role within the game. Mentees can include those who are interested in starting their first job in football or those in the early stages of their career looking to gain confidence and further skills.
Applications to Year 4 are now open and you can find the mentee application and mentor application here.
The BE. Football: Mentoring Programme is now in its fourth year with 44 mentees having progressed through the programme and 29 of those now working full-time in football.
All mentees are partnered with mentors best suited to their aspirations and field of work. Through the nine month duration of the programme mentees take part in three in person workshop days accompanied by online sessions and meet ups to ensure they are supported in their journey. In addition to this mentees are also given the opportunity to shadow their mentors and other staff at the FAW.
Amelia Barnes, BE. Football Mentoring Programme Mentee said: “The programme was great! I gained a lot of insight into the industry through some incredible opportunities, like match day shadowing or visiting itv studios, and I feel so much more confident in myself, especially with networking. I also met some incredible like-minded individuals too, which was really empowering.
“I would tell other women to 100% apply. I learnt a lot about myself and the industry on this programme, as I was only volunteering for a couple months before applying, and I had the chance to experience opportunities that i never thought possible.”
Mentors are provided with support through Claire Ewing, Pause, Play, Perform who coaches and guides the mentors through the programme to ensure they can provide the best support to their mentee.
Previous mentor Nick Davies, Senior Domestic Football Manager at the FAW, said: “Being able to pass on experience and knowledge gained from my career was a fantastic experience. It was inspiring to be able to play my part in helping the growth of women in sport”
FAW Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Integrity Executive Carys Ingram, added: “The FAW BE. Football mentoring programme continues to play a vital role in breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for women in football both on and off the pitch. Over the past three years, we’ve seen incredible growth in our mentees when it comes to them gaining confidence, developing their transferrable skills, and forming a strong support network that will stay with them throughout their careers.
“As we launch Year 4, we’re excited to welcome a new group of women who will benefit from invaluable mentorship, guidance, and opportunities to progress in the game. Our mentors play a key role in supporting the progression of our mentees to better understand their potential; whilst developing themselves as leaders in the game. We can’t wait to see what this next cohort of mentors and mentees will achieve!”
Applications should be submitted to recruitment@faw.co.uk before the closing date of Friday 14th March 2025.
