June 19, 2019, by brzmjb1

Women’s High Performance Centre | Meet the Coach | Becky Langley

University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University joined forces back in 2017 to joint-deliver a Women’s High Performance Football Centre.

The initiative, is committed to doubling participation and fan numbers of the women’s game by 2020, and Nottingham based hub is one of eight High Performance Football Centres based at Universities across the country.

Importantly, the centres provide an educational and community-based setting to recruit, develop and deploy coaches, who will lead and inspire player development specifically in the women’s and girls’ game.

Over the course of a series of blogs we will be talking to the coaches from every level of the game, from grassroots to elite, learning about their journey into coaching and getting some helpful tips along the way.

The first in our series, in none-other than  University of Nottingham’s Women’s Football and Futsal Head Coach , Becky Langley.

Becky is UEFA B qualified coach and  a graduate from Loughborough University who aspires to coach at the very top of the female game.

How did you get into coaching?

“I started coaching aged 14 whilst as a pupil at Conyers School (in Yarm, North East England). I am now 24 years old, so I’ve been coaching alongside playing football for the last 10 years. I kept pursuing my Football Coaching alongside studying for my Sport and Exercise Science degree at Loughborough University. Whilst undertaking a Sports Science internship role at Nottingham Forest FC, I was instead inspired to pursue a football coaching pathway. I understood that to create the best players and best teams that a multidisciplinary approach is needed; which included top level football coaching, sports science interventions and strength & conditioning / psychology support. I felt my knowledge in all areas could be developed and strengthened to create positive environments for players to flourish.”

Why do you coach in the female game?

“I coach in the female game because I want to develop young female athletes coming through the ranks and in doing so, continue to grow the game so more young girls can aspire to become full time professional players. I enjoy the challenge of getting results through hard work, team cohesion and strategic planning alongside the pressure of in some instances needing results.”

Describe yourself (as a coach) in 3 words and tell us what has influenced your coaching style?

“3 words I would use to describe myself as a coach:

• Passionate

• Hard-working

• Committed”

What are your aspirations as a coach?

“My first aspiration is for football coaching to be my profession and to work full time in football. Working with your team all day every day is something I am working towards. I am then aspiring to work at the highest level possible in the Women’s and Men’s game. My ultimate ambition would be to become a Head Coach in the Women’s Super League and to then go on to be an England National Team Manager and coach at a fully packed out Wembley Stadium.”

What advice would you give to others thinking about becoming a coach?

“I would advise people who are thinking about becoming a coach to absolutely go for it! Although you need to be ready for a challenge and very hardworking. It is very rewarding to see young people develop under your supervision. You also learn lots of important life skills and develop much greater leadership skills in an accelerated environment. Time management is key as you often have to juggle multiple elements of the coaching role at once and be prepared to give up weekends and lie ins!”

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For more information on the the Women’s High Performance Football Centre please contact jenny.sugarman@ntu.ac.uk or request to join the HIVE Learning group for news, workshop information, session plans and other articles, research and resources!

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