A Day in the Life of a Football Coach

We know that football clubs around the world are working hard to support more girls and young women to give football a try. We are Girls in Sport spoke to Kim Coster, Head of Ladies’ & Girls’ Football at Billericay Town FC, a team from England, about her role at the football club and her views on how we can introduce more girls to the game.

Over the last few years, Billericay Town FC Ladies have been appearing quite regularly in the local press for a number of positive reasons. In January 2019, Billericay Town LFC caused a stir in the Essex Senior Cup fixture against Rayleigh Town Ladies when they scored an incredible 31 goals! Yes, that’s right…31 goals! Their biggest ever victory. Later that year, on 14th April 2019, Billericay hosted Cambridge United in a tightly contested game which saw Billericay secure all 3 points with a 2-1 victory. This set them in good stead for their Essex County Cup Final where Billericay Town Ladies went on to be crowned Champions of Essex.

Kim started playing football for Spurs Ladies when she was fourteen years old. Now, Head Coach at Billericay Town LFC, she shares her story:

Kim, where does your passion for football come from and did many girls play football when you were growing up?

I was brought up just around the corner from White Hart Lane, the home of Tottenham Hotspur and my secondary school was opposite the stadium, so it was pretty busy and noisy on match days. I started playing football with my friends in the streets very early on, using walls and jumpers as goals. I was fourteen when I joined my first team, Spurs Ladies; I loved it. Female football was popular. Main difference now is the exposure and progression of the women’s game over the years.

What attracted you to move into coaching?

I played up till I was thirty-four years old but knee issues stopped me playing. I took a year out but still went to watch local teams play. I was approached by the then owner of Billericay Town Football Club, Rod Moore to take over the ladies’ team - this encouraged me to start my coaching badges. I also became assistant coach to Colchester Utd ‘Centre of Excellence’ U16. The only evening I had off for two years was a Monday night! All of my football work was voluntary and my daytime job paid my bills. I am a UEFA B coach; I wished I had progressed to A Licence but holding a full-time job played a part. I am proud and pleased of what I have achieved so far.

Working with Billericay Town LFC, how would you describe a typical day?

Match days start with opening up the club, waiting for the arrival of staff that work behind the bar, the food huts and the turnstile operators, making sure the programmes’ floats/change is all in place for when the supporters arrive. Car parks gates are opened, I then have a meet with the groundsman to make sure all is okay and if there are any areas he would prefer us not to use in the warmup for both teams. My coaching team and I pride ourselves on laying the players kit out in a certain way, covering any superstitions so when the players arrive, all is laid out for them. We also need to put refreshments in the home, away and officials’ changing rooms for half-time.

I also try to be free for when the opposition and officials arrive, one to make sure they know where to go but also to make them a tea/coffee. Once the team have changed, the coaching team will enter the changing room and talk through the team and the game plan, they then go out to warm up. During this time, myself and a representative from the opposition will visit the officials’ room to exchange team sheets and make note of what the officials expect from both sets of players.

At 1.45pm the players line up at the tunnel ready to walk out on the pitch to do the respect handshake; myself and the coaching team walk out to the dug outs.

Once the final whistle is blown, it’s then media time, naming player of the match in the media suite, photos and interviews, back into the bar area to make sure the players’ food has been laid out. Officials’ expenses are paid, grab something to eat and catch up with people; it’s then washing the kit time, drying and hanging up ready for next Sunday.

Then there’s clearing up the areas once people have left, review with the staff and then locking up the club. Once home I complete the paperwork and submit to our secretary, so she is able to submit to FA full time.

The phone doesn’t stop on Sunday nights, so I don’t tend to get time to relax. Normally by about 10.30pm, I am shattered so I switch off my smartphone and it’s time for bed.

What are the most important things to keep in mind when coaching a team?

Be real and be honest - communication is key as we can all interpret things in different ways.

How do you keep your team motivated and working well together?

I have a good management and coaching team, so we are always available for players if needed. We face the highs and lows together: not everyone gets on all the time, but communication is key.

What has been a career highlight for you so far?

I have had many that bring smiles. Here are my top five…

1 - Playing in a County Rep game at the old Wembley Stadium and scoring a penalty

2 - Gaining my UEFA B coaching badge

3 - Being the Essex County Rep Manager

4 - Winning the Essex County Cup, first time for the women’s team

5 - Working in the game that I love and being part of Billericay Town FC

How can we get more girls and young women into football here in the UK?

The FA, County FA and the schools are doing some great initiatives; sponsorship is important along with media coverage; all of this is definitely having an impact on getting more females involved. Games and tournaments being shown on TV reach out to all and it is encouraging more females to participate at all ages. I was at the Women’s World Cup in France: I saw both semis and the final. It was brilliant, the atmosphere was superb.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Be the best you can be and enjoy it, from my late mum and dad.

Thanks Kim. That was such an insightful interview.

After over 100 days absence of football because of the coronavirus pandemic it will be brilliant to see Billericay Town LFC kick off once again. Follow their fixtures and the news at https://www.billericaytownfc.co.uk/btfc-ladies/

The ‘She Can Play’ Campaign first began at The FA People’s Cup in January 2016. She Can Play believe in empowering women through playing, coaching and refereeing football. The FA People’s Cup provides a platform to kick start the growth of girls’ and women’s football across the country. She Can Play currently work with local charities, grassroots clubs, professional clubs, councils, county FA’s, mental health groups and schools to increase the number of females playing football across England. She Can Play deliver girls’ and women's recreational football sessions for all ages and abilities.

Find out more at http://www.shecanplay.uk/