09/06/2020
Had a Webinar with players from both sides of the big pond last week and one of the the questions I was asked was; “Which do you prefer to coach, male or female players/teams?”
Although my answer on the night was short but informative due to the time allocated I was left with the question burning in the back of my mind. So much so I think the following goes a long way in answering the question in depth...
“Like with many things, there is a lot of ignorance and uneducated mindsets surrounding women's football. People who watch men's football and expect to see exactly the same product in women's football promote a lazy, closed minded view of the sport which harms the awareness and development of football for all, as well as the perception of coaching and teaching. Technically, many female players are better than their male counterparts - they have had to base and develop their skillsets around technique, intelligence, and the intuition of how to use these aspects to maximise their potential, whilst competing with the sexist, outdated and dogmatic views of male stakeholders in football. I find females make more humble athletes, better able to process information, have a ferocious desire to learn regardless of their ability, and also have a greater aptitude for emotional intelligence and control. They are also more inclined to challenge what they are told, and be curious about their own development. It is here I find the greatest joy in the magnitude of what the word 'coach' actually means.”
I rest my case...
