ABOUT THE PATHWAY
Fewer than 1 in 10 football coaches are women. That’s a problem, because girls are more likely to stay in the game if they have a coach of the same gender in their corner.
Bloomsbury Football Foundation’s Women’s Coaching Pathway is a groundbreaking programme designed to give girls more trusted adult role models, to help them build the on-and-off pitch skills for a better shot at life.
By recruiting a cohort of community-minded coaches and mentors, keen to make a difference, we’re building a new generation of change makers.
WHY IT MATTERS
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of girls find it easier to trust a female coach
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find it easier to talk about difficult issues
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would share things with a coach that they wouldn't with a parent
HOW THE PATHWAY WORKS
Joining the Women’s Football Pathway is a chance for community-focused coaches to build their confidence and skills to coach any child, regardless of their ability of background.
Kicking off in early 2027, the programme delivers:
Exclusive mentoring opportunities
Learn from leading figures in the women’s game, to take your abilities to the next level. Discuss the strengths in your approach, as well as innovative ways to further your coaching so that you can maximise the impact on the individuals and the community you love.
Structured professional development
With six on-pitch professional development events, 10+ hours of coaching for Bloomsbury, and a tailored launch event, there’s unparalleled opportunity to develop your delivery across age groups and genders.
A cohort of like-minded coaches
Join 20 other female coaches, all with the same interest in making a difference through their coaching. Take the next step on your journey, together.
The chance to make a difference
Bloomsbury works with over 7,000 young people every week, transforming young lives through the magic of football. Building life skills to empower players, not just improving their technical ability, is central to our coaching ethos.
WHAT YOU'LL GET
Real coaching experience
At least six CPDs, ten hours on-pitch coaching and exclusive mentoring
A community of coaches
A cohort of 20 like-minded coaches to share your journey
Making a difference
Giving young people from underserved backgrounds a better shot at life
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for where the careers component will sit
Explore Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury Football Foundation was born in 2018 with one simple aim: transform young lives through the magic of football. Explore more about our story and our impact.
Women's Coaching Pathway FAQs
What is Bloomsbury Football Foundation?
Bloomsbury Football Foundation is a charity whose mission is to transform lives through the magic of football.
By removing the access barriers that stop so many young people from playing regularly, we’re giving kids a safe place to play, a community to belong to, and the skills for a better shot at life.
Bloomsbury works with over 7,000 young people every single week, of which over 2,000 are girls. Our coaches are on the front line of everything we do, trusted adults for our players to believe in.
What is the Women's Coaching Pathway?
Bloomsbury Football Foundation’s new Women’s Coaching Pathway is a community-focused coaching programme. The aim of the programme is to develop female coaches over a six-month period, offering unparalleled opportunities to learn in and among children of different ages and abilities in the grassroots game.
Why does football need a Women's Coaching Pathway?
Bloomsbury’s research has shown that fewer than 1 in 10 coaches in England are women, and that young girls are 54% more likely t0 trust coaches of the same gender.
The Women’s Coaching Pathway, upskilling talented and community-minded coaches, will provide more trusted adults for girls and young women to turn to, to get them playing more regularly so that they too can experience the transformative magic of football.
What are the different roles in the Women's Coaching Pathway?
The Women’s Coaching Pathway consists of two different roles, Coach Mentors and Coaches. See our Careers page for more details on each of the open roles.
What experience do I need to join the pathway as a coach?
The Women’s Coaching Pathway is open to women who are football obsessed and seriously considering coaching as a career.
Whether you’ve already taken your first steps in coaching, spent years playing before hanging up your boots, or are ready to move to the other side of the touchline, we want to hear from you!
To apply, you must:
- Identify as a woman
- Be a football coach, ex-player, or current player looking to transition into coaching
- Be passionate about being a positive role model in the community
- Be committed to developing your coaching practice, both on-and-off the pitch
- Be available to attend at least 6 of the 10 sessions across the year, held in London on Saturday mornings
Nice to have:
- A UEFA C or FA Level 2 coaching qualification, or well on your way to one
If you have any questions, please email Ellie Leek, Head of Talent.
How can I apply to join the Women's Coaching Pathway?
You can apply for all the roles on the Women’s Coaching Pathway on our Careers website.
At Bloomsbury Football Foundation, we believe that the best teams reflect the communities they serve. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences feel welcome, valued and able to do their best work. We particularly encourage applications from women and people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, who are currently underrepresented in our team. We assess every candidate on their ability, potential and values, nothing else. If you care about what we do and believe you have something to contribute, we want to hear from you.
If you have any questions, please email Ellie Leek, Head of Talent.
When does the Women's Coaching Pathway start?
Applications for all roles on the the Women’s Coaching Pathway are open now. You can apply to all roles via our Careers website.
The delivery programme kicks off in early 2027, with exact dates and timings to be confirmed.
What benefits do I get from the Women's Coaching Pathway?
The Women’s Coaching Pathway programme includes the following training, events and benefits:
- A bespoke launch event to meet your fellow coaches and mentors
- 6x tailored coaching and professional development (CPD) sessions with female coach mentors
- Paid coaching hours at Bloomsbury training sessions and holiday camps (minimum 10 hours)
- Residential trip for all cohort members in May or June 2027 (TBD).
- Future employment opportunities, with every coach on the course guaranteed an interview for full-time or part-time coaching roles at Bloomsbury
- Coaching kit, made specifically for female bodies