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Beyond the Pitch Episode 2: Coaching Conversations: Female Leaders, Football Finalists, and the Powerhouse Project
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Daily Women's Football- Join us as we delve into the rise of female football coaches, analyze key partnerships, and explore the impactful initiatives of the Powerhouse Project. Discover the future of football leadership and innovation in every episode! Join Briony Smith, Cate Maiolini and Nat Bernardi.
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Transcript
Introduction & Podcast Overview
00:00:08
officialgspn
Hello and welcome to another podcast Beyond the Pitch, a daily football cod podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcasting Network. With me today, joining me, I've got Natasha and I've got Kate. Hello, guys. Nice to have you on.
00:00:24
Cate
Hello. hello
00:00:25
Nat
Hello.
Female Representation at the Women's Olympics
00:00:28
officialgspn
Today, we will be looking into a few bits and bobs. We will be looking at the discrepancies, arguably, in the percentages around head coaches at the Women's Olympics. We will look at how Carla Ward now joins Emma Hayes and the USA National Football Team. And we will also discuss a few little bits around the Powerhouse Project and their initiatives. so As we've obviously seen, all exciting, we've we kind of head deep into the Olympics at the moment and a stat was released last week that 33% of head coaches are in fact female. What do we make of this?
00:01:16
Cate
Well, it's a slightly low percentage in my um in my humble opinion.
00:01:16
Nat
i think
00:01:20
Cate
I think there is a... There is something that can be done and it can be done better in here. um It's slightly disappointing considering this was supposed to be one of the historical you know Olympics where 50% of athletes are um equally split in gender.
00:01:41
Nat
I think.
Increasing Female Coaches by 2028
00:01:43
Cate
It would have been nice to put a bit more effort in the previous four years at least into pushing the boundaries or not just the athletes but the technical team as well so the coaches and everyone who's part of the team.
00:01:58
Nat
I think you are a little bit pessimistic here um in a way. And sorry to say that, but if you look at the overall picture, especially here in England, how many women coaches do you have? And I also think that we need also to take a little bit the broader look, like if you look at ah also other disciplines like athletics or anything else that is at the moment in the Olympics, having This is a presentation in the football side of it. It's not too bad. What I agree with you, actually, k ah Kate, is that there I would have loved to see some more women coaches also on the men's side of the football in the Olympics. But we are even there. We are so a little bit far away from that, ah even in in England. Look at the Premier League, you know.
00:02:52
Nat
And I'm not going to go into the other breakdown of diversity within the coaching team because that's another cattle of fish that we could bring on. um But yeah, I would be a little bit more positive on the Olympic side on the 33%. But I completely agree there is a lot of work to do and possibly what you said about thinking about forwards, and like in four years time, can we raise this level up? but Can we be prepared to get a 50% if not 60% even? And within this percentage, can we have a little bit of diversity please?
00:03:32
officialgspn
I mean, 33%, I think we both agree is a lot less than eve I think I even expected at the Olympics. I mean, it's traditionally known for being a lot diverse, I think a lot sooner. And I think it was the second lowest, I believe, split in terms of sport football, in terms of its, may we also make it clear, head coaches we're talking about here.
Structural Changes & the Powerhouse Project
00:04:02
Cate
yeah
00:04:02
officialgspn
But but what what more do we think needs to be done? What changes do we think need to be taken, for example, in the 2028 Olympics in order to potentially see a rise in the number of coaches? Do we think it's a structural ah allocation at the top? Or do we think it's a, is it maybe more of an interpersonal thing? Is it a confidence thing?
00:04:02
Nat
Yeah.
00:04:23
Cate
Yeah.
00:04:25
officialgspn
What do we think the reasons are for this?
00:04:27
Cate
I mean, sorry, I'm going to start here, not a few of mine. um I mean, we are going to talk later about the powerhouse. So I think the more project like the powerhouse, we see the better it is. It needs to start. I don't want to say you need to start just from the bottom. I think there's a lot of coaches. There's a good numbers, let's say of coaches that would probably be already ready to, to go into this type of role, into that level. But we also need to see if we, if we would have a look at the percentage of the split percentage of
00:05:00
Cate
participant in courses, ah you know, how many cultures gets to certain levels. So I'm not talking just the UFAC, I'm talking the B and the A and even the pro. What's the percentage in there of male and female that is easy to understand? you know why there is also that type of number diversity and also it's very important that it actually starts from within inside the team and the national team and the federation where they say actually you know well for our national team we will make an effort of seeking
00:05:37
Cate
a female coach, because for us it's important, for everything else it's important, e etc. Instead of going with, allow me to say that, an easier option. That's my opinion. So it starts from there.
00:05:50
Nat
I think there are other projects, I think we discussed probably offline about that ah alongside the Powerhouse project that allow high skilled coaches to go into ah mentoring, ah into clubs ah to develop further. I think there is a lack of it and I think there is, at least here in England, a little bit of pathway now. um to get more confident for us women to get into a professional pathway working alongside professional coaches in the men's side but also on the women's side. I think there is this open-minded so I would envision at least for what it concerns England or Team GB that that could be a way. I also think that there should be internationally more opportunities because Team GB is not there today and probably we would have Sarina so there. um
00:06:43
Nat
But that that's to say, I think also internally, ah there should be some opportunities like look at Emma Hayes, that she had a history within a club. ah But then um she moved for a national team. So if you we think about again, if we think in the lower scale and internationally, how many clubs that have like professional clubs in the women side of the game i have had coaches, who are women and let's go even to the men's side of the game, how many in the professional games ah clubs head coaches head coaches are women and how they can progress into a national team, which is completely different than coaching um a club or my personal opinion. ah So I think that is something that needs to be built up and I think opportunities and I would envision also international opportunities, the international exchange of those
International Opportunities for Female Coaches
00:07:39
Nat
opportunities of all those projects, like they even being one in the program in the coaching program of the FAWNL, you know, being in Tier 3 and Tier 4, that develop you as ah as a coach to to get the skills to get there. And in four years, if those projects are crossover around around the world, I can envision more um head coaches as ah as women and I hope I can envision more um not just women but from different backgrounds because the representation is key.
00:08:14
officialgspn
Yeah, I think that's some really interesting points
Carla Ward & Emma Hayes Collaboration
00:08:16
officialgspn
there. And I think that kind of really nicely allows us to kind of move into this topic around the news of Carla Ward joining Emma Hayes at the US national team for the Olympics. So we're looking here at arguably two of the best, most efficient up-to-date female coaches that there are. I think, as we know, Emma Hayes walking into a squad of, you know, strong players across the pitch to a side that's got a lot of legacy behind it is one of the leaders on the world stage. And then a manager like Carla Ward, who has just come from Aston Villa and who has in three seasons, four seasons done, some major, made some major progress with the side in the WSL.
00:09:14
officialgspn
How do we think someone like Carla will be able to aid someone like Emma Hayes who's already got such a wealth of knowledge and experience? And maybe those two are friends as well. How might they navigate the friendship in the coaching environment?
00:09:35
Cate
I'll start again if you don't mind, sorry, because first of all, I think this is something I would like to hear your opinion on, considering you also know Karla better than any of us in this podcast.
00:09:37
officialgspn
Go for it. No, go for it.
00:09:46
Cate
And you had the opportunity to um you know to attend some session with her. And I don't know, maybe not you also, you know her. Natasha, sorry, i I really don't. So as a person, I am going to just take the friendship side in here and think that when I read the news, which I believe is still not confirmed, right? So they are just rumors, et cetera, as ah Nat was saying before, we haven't really seen Carla in any TV or anything. So it could be just a rumor.
00:10:17
Cate
We don't know. Well, I think.
00:10:18
officialgspn
it's been announced It's been announced by the US s National Squad, so it is a thing.
00:10:20
Nat
Just being announced.
00:10:22
Cate
OK.
00:10:23
officialgspn
cheeses she's doing some She's the performance analysis and American scout for the club alongside Emma.
00:10:29
Cate
Right, okay. Well, so from a friend point of view, I think it's the most amazing thing I've read in a long time. It's just like this person is amazing and now I am in a maybe a slightly more powerful position as a coach and I'm able to bring my friends with me, obviously my talented friends, but also my friends of me. And I cannot see anything better than that from a personal point of view. I'd love to be able to build a team.
00:11:03
Cate
and and and to be able to do so with the talented people that I think also deserve it. But they are also my friends and therefore I know I can rely on them even more than someone that would just in a sort of way work for me. So for me that is going to be an extremely powerful combination.
00:11:25
Nat
I think, in my opinion, Olivia Long, what Kata said, they're an interesting point. And I probably don't know a kind of word as well, but I attended some meetings with her in terms of interviews and I've read about her. i know they they ah they both I believe they both met as coaches in the professional game and they are particularly close because they both are mothers of toddlers. So I think Carla, when when um Emma was ah explaining about the difficulties to be a head coach of a club in the WSL, but also raising a kid and how the club was supporting her, Carla was highlighting that as well.
00:12:10
Nat
So I think there is that this, there is crossing paths, there is kind of understanding of each other in terms of their journey, where they are at this point, where they want to be. ah I believe, you know, friendship and and professionalism, that's what they're always shown, at least in the public, at least in their clubs. And even as rivals, even though they were friends, that they behave like professionals, you know, they never kind of ah took not seriously let's say a game Aston Villa against Chelsea or vice versa and and that is something that happens quite often on my opinion in the in the women's in the WSL for example you see maybe former players getting together after the game
00:12:53
Nat
for a lunch, for a dinner, for a night out. You can see in the social media times, how happened last year with Russo and um and Tuni, that we they are doing a podcast together. That doesn't matter that, in my opinion, it's very cool to see that, but then when we are on the pitch, we can be rivals, but when we are off the pitch, we are friends, because that's what sport is at the end, you know? as And that's where your professionalism kicks in. I think, yeah, I was a little bit torn. I was really expecting to see Carla Ward on TV let's say that like and see a little bit of a WSL vibe in ah at the Olympics and not seeing her made me question. So I went a little bit to read a little bit more and I was
00:13:39
Nat
thinking that was, is that maybe a marketing way? Is that a way to push the women's as coaching forward? Bazar, to rightly say, Broyani, in terms of her title, that probably she was a little bit more behind the scenes than on the bench there. So yeah, I'm very curious to see, because that is the first time that those two former WSL head coaches are working together. in a big approach as a national team outside of the country so it would be very interesting to see how from now the Olympics which is kind of our starting point and setting the standard they would progress forward and what is going to happen in the in the water cup what is going to happen in the next four years you know that is the bit that I'm really excited and looking forward to
00:14:32
officialgspn
Yeah, I think there's a few things to add on to a couple of your points there which are from both of you, which were really interesting. I mean, yeah, I was lucky enough to meet Carla to spend a few days with her, gain some insights from her. It was honestly a great experience, the whole retreat, which I'll speak about in a moment when we speak more about the Powerhouse Project. But I think more than anything, it was very apparent that despite Carla's genuine wealth of knowledge, which is just incredible, she really looks up to Emma, She really uses Emma. Emma's been there for her a lot in terms of mentorship, in terms of her career, in terms of, like you say, both of them are going through motherhood as coaches at the top level of the game.
00:15:15
officialgspn
And I think there is something really nice about the way she's followed Emma in that respect now over to the USA to take on her first, not head coach role, but her first role and foot in the door in terms of national football. um And it is interesting that it doesn't appear that Carla is sitting on the bench I don't know maybe she will maybe she has but it has very much been suggested it's performance analysis it's scouting it's the behind the scenes stuff like you say Natasha and you wonder what the reason for that is is it just for her to like I say dip her toe in the water with international football um is she genuinely interested in the different avenues of
00:16:00
officialgspn
a squad dynamic at the moment, who knows what that is. But again, like you say, Kate, yeah, what, what more could you want as someone who's got to the top of the game and in the role in which you want to be in as a coach, someone who's coached at that top level to be able to go and do that with your best friend? Yeah, it on a personal level, there's something really nice about that, I think. um And I will now move on to speaking a little bit more about as it links nicely the powerhouse project.
Impact of the Powerhouse Project
00:16:32
officialgspn
I think that the whole thing is a huge breath of fresh air. I've been genuinely very privileged, very lucky, I consider myself to be quite heavily involved with it. I've had quite a few opportunities with it. ah And just what it's done for me, the confidence it's given me, while for example, I'm currently awaiting to hear my the outcome of my UAFB application,
00:16:58
officialgspn
um fingers crossed on that one. We're waiting to see with that. But, you know, it's just things like that. The extra confidence has given me. And, you know, I've coached, I'm 22 now and I've coached since I was about 13. but And I've always been motivated in which to do so, but I don't know. Just since kind of having some level of involvement with this initiative over the last couple of li years, I think it's the empowerment element of it. I've just rocketed even more. It's genuinely, they are, there is just some level of community feeling about it.
00:17:34
officialgspn
As women, where we're all on the same page with this rule, whether you're someone who's getting ready to do the introduction to coaching and you're not actually got any level of qualification or whether you're an A license, you're someone at the top, everyone's in it together, what are your views and feelings and thoughts about the powers project?
00:17:57
Nat
Well, I've been involved in some initiative. I've not been part of the cohort, so but I really think that the energy that I was able to witness, but also the fact that it's so encouraging overall and the diversity of the coaches involved in the cohort of that I was able to witness. ah It's quite striking. I'm all about diversity. I think representation matters. I think if we want to have to rise the bar of the game, we need to have different kind of view of the game and that just can but can come from different um different people coming from different side of the game. So that is what I like the most about it. And I think the innovation here is that
00:18:44
Nat
they have really ah try to it push you forward in your journey in coaching so it's not just a matter of qualification but how can we help you to support you to get another qualification if it makes sense so i really i really like it and i think what you have been exposed for, my me witnesses ah through social media and LinkedIn mainly. It's ah such a unique and great opportunity because you get to meet players, you get to meet um coaches who work in different part the in different side of the game.
00:19:22
Nat
but also in different countries. So I think that is so amazing. So well done, Briyoni. And end that i'm I'm sure you um you ah you, I think you said it right in the first sentence when you said, I feel quite i felt quite privileged and grateful. And I think that is, tells a lot about the project's person.
00:19:45
officialgspn
Can I really quickly just jump in, Kate, before I for
UEFA Bee Prep Program & Women Coaches
00:19:49
officialgspn
forget what I'm going to say? it I think for me, I've not been part of a cohort. I was lucky enough to be part of the coach retreat in May with Carla Ward. I did some stuff at Wembley back in December, done a couple of other bits and bobs with them, but not that I've been part of it, but I'd be interested, Kate, to hear your views on it. The UEFA Bee Prep Program. I think is a really good idea. The idea of it being to bridge that gap for UA4C or the old level two qualified coaches to take this prep program as a bridging the gap, essentially, if you want to call it that, just to give you that that step up. Because for some people, for most, for everybody, in fact, that is a big step between that C license and that B license or the level two and the level three.
00:20:44
officialgspn
It is in terms of content, in terms of what's expected of you as a coach, as a confidence, the way you're expected to recall information and be able to answer for what you're doing. And that prep program is specifically there for women to bridge that gap and give them that confidence going into it as a woman. What are your views and opinions on that prep program?
00:21:06
Cate
um So I'm going to say from, I guess, a slightly less technical point of view in here, I think I absolutely love that there is something like that. I think that um the way we approach some women ah has to be slightly different from the way maybe um a traditional path is maybe for our male counterpart. um I am not part of any of the course so of the powerhouse yet. ah But I have attended, yeah, I said yet, but I have attended some of their events and their day at Wembley last year where they, and I don't remember how many coach we were, maybe even nearly a hundred was so many of us of every different level.
00:21:37
officialgspn
Always time.
00:21:52
Cate
And we had the opportunity to hear some theory and then, I mean, get trained on Wembley page by incredible coaches. I still can't think I actually did that. It was amazing. um And I just love what they are doing in this way. So a particular opinion about maybe the course that you're just saying. So um that prepping course, um I might not be able to tell you as much. I'd love to get into that. And as soon as I'm going to finish my intro to coaching, I will also look into
00:22:28
Cate
ah see what I can do with the powerhouse, but what I wanted to underline here is just how important the work they do really is, exactly for what you said. You just said that the course has helped you with your confidence, not just the knowledge, with feeling more secure, with thinking. that you belong in there, that there is a space for you, that you will be able to gather, that there are all the women that are, you know, advancing their career, that they that they are happy and able to support your journey. And I think that is something that it's very remarkable. And I absolutely love, you know, what the girls um alongside Nike are created with the Powerhouse Project.
00:23:08
officialgspn
Yeah, it really is. And you know they are very much about empowerment and how they can best aid every woman in this in the sport, in sport, not just football now. And it is really, really positive. And like I say, it's helped me so much.
Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up
00:23:23
officialgspn
I know it's helped so many other women. And I think we are coming to the end of our time today. But maybe just in one word sum up your feelings and thoughts about the project.
00:23:40
Cate
refreshing powerhouse boilers, refreshing, thankfully.
00:23:45
officialgspn
Natasha.
00:23:46
Nat
Innovative.
00:23:48
officialgspn
Very nice. I'm going to go with empowering. I think it's as simple as that for me. But yeah, it's been great speaking to you both today and I'll look forward to next time. So thank you for listening to myself, Bryony, Natasha and Kate. And we'll see you next time.
00:24:04
Cate
Yes, i'm looking forward to the final.