The FA Coach Mentor Programme

FA Coach Mentor Programme

Offering on-the-ground support

FA Coach Mentor Programme

This programme represents a major investment in the grassroots game and offers on-the-ground support to FA Charter Standard Clubs, leagues and target groups.

The FA sees the development of coaches as central to the development of the game, and working collaboratively accelerates learning and supports coaches’ development. Mentoring support could include:

  • Developing a whole club philosophy
  • Group coaching demonstrations
  • 1:1 observation and support
  • Signposting to relevant courses and events
  • Needs analysis for individual coaches
  • Modelling of coaching sessions
  • Individual feedback
  • An individual learning programme
  • County Programme

Outlook for the Season

For season 2019/20 we will be focusing our coach mentoring support in the following areas:

Qualification support - If you are due to attend a course or have recently attended a course and would like some help implementing the learning with your players.

Club Improvement Programme – Insert information about the club improvement programme. If you are not part of the Club Improvement Programme but believe an FA Coach Mentor could support your club.

Coaching in the female game – If you are a female coach or a coach who works with female players and would like support with your coaching.

Coaching in the disability game - If you are a disabled coach or a coach who works with disabled players and would like support with your coaching.

To register for support in any of the areas listed above please register your interest below. All applications will be reviewed and we will respond in 14 days. If you have not heard back from us in 14 days please contact your Regional FA Coach Mentor.

Register Your Interest

Watch the video below to find out more about The FA's Coach Mentoring Programme

MEET THE DORSET FA COACH MENTORS

In Dorset we have 4 FA Coach Mentors supporting coaches within the grassroots game. Meet the team below. 

Andrew Yates Dorset FA Coach Mentor

Andrew Yates  (West Dorset)

Andy Yates is based in Weymouth and joined the mentoring programme in 2019. He has a degree in Coach and Physical education and is currently working towards his UEFA B. Andy worked as a coach for Plymouth Argyle before moving to Dorset to become a Sports Development Officer and Lecturer at Weymouth College. He is passionate about supporting and inspiring future coaches to achieve their goals and ambitions.

To contact Andy please email andrew.yates@thefa.com

Manuel V1

Manuel Laurijssen   (Poole)


Manuel was born and raised in London, where  he ended up with a degree in Psychology. Along with the UK, he has also coached and lived in New Zealand, Germany, Spain and Japan. Manu is a personal trainer and leads a running group. He loves running and the outdoors and speaks Spanish, German and English fluently. 

To contact Manuel please email: Manuel.Laurijssen@thefa.com

Micheal Butcher V1

Michael Butcher   (East Dorset)

Michael Butcher is based near Verwood and joined the mentoring programme in 2018.  Michael is a Level 2 coach and has experience in the grassroots environment in both coaching and council/committee membership. Outside of football, Michael is also a Board Member of Bournemouth Churches Housing Association and Finance Director of a Care Home group; he is passionate about helping coaches and clubs develop to achieve their aims and ambitions, as well as providing great sporting memories for players.   

To contact Michael please email: michael.butcher@thefa.com

Leah Poole

Leah Poole (North Dorset, Women's, Girls and Disability)

Leah has Coached at a variety of grassroots & elite clubs, schools and colleges (PE teacher in primary schools and also at special needs schools). She is an FA Affiliate Tutor for new Primary Active Literacy Programme. Leah has also spent 2 years coaching at Yeovil Town Ladies with FA WSL development squad and then FA WSL 2 first team. She has also coached at Girls ACC and Cerebral Palsy Regional Talent Centre.

She is currently coaching South West Cerebral Palsy United FC Senior (Mens) & Junior (8-16) Squads, Yeovil Town Player Development Centre and Advanced Goalkeeper Center (under 8's - under 12's). She has a special interest in supporting female coaches and the female game along with coaches working with disability teams and successfully won McDonalds UK Football Mum of the Year in 2015. She is very passionate about helping coaches to give every player opportunities to access fun, engaging and progressive football, allowing them to become the best players that they can be. 

To contact Leah please email: Leah.Poole@TheFA.com

Did You Know?

In 2016/17
1. Our team of mentors provided 362 hours of support
2. Supported 147 coaches
3. This represents an investment of £9050 into Grassroots football in Dorset 

In 2017/18
1. Our team of mentors provided 425 hours of support
2. Supported 182 coaches
3. This represents an investment of £10,625 into Grassroots football in Dorset 

In 2018/19 
1. Our team of mentors provided 431.5 hours of support
2. Supported 240 coaches
3. This represents an investment of £10787.5 into Grassroots football in Dorset 

 

Get In Touch

For more information on the FA Coach Mentor programme please contact:

Ciara Allan - South West Regional FA Coach Mentor

By Phone:  07812 670154

By Email: ciara.allan@thefa.com

When making initial contact please include your name, club name, number of teams and the County FA that you are affiliated with.

Alternatively register your interest below.

Register Your Interest

FA COACH MENTOR FAQ'S

No. The FA Coach Mentor programme is a free FA initiative where a Coach Mentor can offer up to 100 hours of support per season.

Clubs that are keen to develop a positive coaching ethos, philosophy and develop their own in-house mentoring/coach support system.

Coaches can utilise this opportunity to start a legacy of positive coaching within their own clubs.

The FA Coach Mentor Programme is also committed to providing 5000 hours per season specifically to work with BAME, female and disabled coaches across the country.

If you are a BAME coach or working with BAME coaches/players and would like some support from one of our Coach Mentors, please contact Steve Smithies with your name, club name, age group and the County FA that you are affiliated to – steve.smithies@thefa.com.

If you are a female coach or working with female coaches/players and would like some support from one of our Coach Mentors, please contact Samantha Griffiths with your name, club name, age group and the County FA that you are affiliated to – samantha.griffiths@thefa.com.

If you are a coach with a disability and would like some support from one of our Coach Mentors, please contact Kevin England with your name, club name, age group and the County FA that you are affiliated to kevin.england@thefa.com.

If you are interested in becoming an FA Coach Mentor please check our website for vacancies. If no vacancies are available contact the Regional Coach Mentor Officer in your region who can provide an update of the programme in and around your area.

Please note that there two application periods throughout the season - June and December.

Pre-requisites to become an FA Coach Mentor are:

  • Minimum FA Level 2 in Coaching Football
  • Member of The FA Licensed Coaches Club
  • Valid FA Criminal Record Check

The South West Regional FA Coach Mentor is Ciara Allan.

Ciara Allan – ciara.allan@thefa.com

The FA Coaching Bursary

An inclusive initiative designed to support more coaches from under-represented communities with a financial contribution to progress on their coaching pathways.


The FA Coaching Bursary

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