MAY 2022: Trish Fleming discusses building the clubs coaching infrastructure & developing future talent.
QUICK FIRE 5:
1. Favourite team(s) supported: Everton
2. Favourite player past or present: Trevor Steven – an amazing player.
3. Highlight of the season with Maghull: There’s a few. Seeing all the new teams starting off and playing. My U9 girls winning the Hightown League having not conceded a goal.
4. Favourite drink: Depends… Pepsi max or Buck’s Fizz!
5. Biggest influence in coaching: Colin Harvey – such a committed player and coach who set the standard and brought the best out of his teams. He also had an aura about him that I can relate to.
Q: What does your role entail and what do you get most satisfaction from?
As a coach… you get satisfaction from many things. Girls who have never played before getting stronger and more confident in their ability. The new friendships that are made. The enjoyment that the girls get from playing football is one of the most satisfying elements of coaching.
As lead development coach… it covers a lot of different elements. From overseeing that the whole of the girls section is running smoothly and safely. Starting up new teams, assisting with equipment and arranging friendlies. To help our coaches with any issues they might be having. To register players for teams and make sure that the coaches feel valued within their roles. To promote the values that we have at Maghull FC and to promote our club in a positive way.
An important aspect is building our profile on social media platforms in terms of awareness. Though ultimately it is to build a strong girls section who enjoy their football and play football the right way.
As a committee member… I am representing the girls section of the club. To help with fundraising and the future development of the club overall. The club currently has over 11 girls teams from U7 to U13, Ladies first team (open age) in addition to a new girls mini kickers programme for ages 4-6.
The club provides fantastic opportunities to Ladies and Girls aged 4-18+ to coach and educate them about the power of sports, and encourage them to follow their dreams to play football without fear or discrimination.
Q: What has been your own journey playing / coaching so far?
I played football in school. My daughter started playing aged 8 and I always thought it was amazing how the coaches gave up their time to help develop the players.
My children are grown up now and I had some free time so I decided to give coaching a go. My daughter Sarah and I started in January 2020 with an Under 8s team. I remember these little girls turning up and I was terrified. I did doubt myself at first but the girls and their parents were amazing and very supportive, it went on from there. We had only been together a matter of weeks and unfortunately the country went into the first of many COVID lockdowns (2020). I kept in touch with the team throughout lockdown and the girls are now my Under 9’s and doing really well.
To support other teams within our club we took on the Under 8’s Yellow team and we are just finishing our first season together. I am also excited to complete my coaching badges soon.
In addition to running youth teams, I also coach Maghull FC Mini Kickers Girls (age 4+) with another coach and help with the Ladies open age team with first aid…. So I am always busy!
Q: Women’s football has risen in both profile and popularity in the last few years with UEFA and the FA working to promote it. How does the club promote Women’s football in providing funding, support and facilities to ensure future growth?
I feel we do a good job at promoting Women’s and Girls football with our club. We work together to bring girls through the age groups and into our teams. The girls section has had 5 new teams start in the last 8 months (as at May 2022) which is fantastic. The club have also helped to fund some of the teams for kits and equipment which is a great gesture and really valued support.
We have great communication between all the managers / coaches at Maghull FC. We all work together to help with funds for the teams. The girls teams currently train at Maghull clubhouse which gives them a real connection to the club.
There is also an annual match – Coaches XI vs Sponsors XI in which some of our ladies team take part alongside the lads coaches. Great fun and another great example of how inclusive Maghull FC really is.
Q: How does the club link in / support other important initiatives such as Women in Football #GetOnside, and importantly to provide a positive and safe learning environment for our coaches, players and youngsters?
Our aim is that enjoyment is the key. After every session, be it a match or training we ask our girls if they enjoyed it. It’s really important to us that the girls are having fun and enjoying the environment we provide for them. We work closely with LCFA. The coaches all work together and are aware that the priority is fun and development. Every coach is DBS checked and some of our ladies open age team players have gone on to coach the younger teams coming through. I feel this gives such a positive influence on our girls.
Q: You have overseen much of the progression within Maghull Ladies and Girls youth set up. How has this developed over time to the extent where the club is now one of the most respected in the area and in high demand?
I think it’s developed through hard work. John Twigg who ran the girls section before me did an amazing job and created a fantastic set up for the girls. I have carried on and we are becoming one of the biggest girls sections in Liverpool.
We run our section to play fairly and the right way. Our priority is to have fun but also to develop the girls to the best of their ability.
Next season we will have 15 girls teams which is testament to the great work we’ve done and support the club provides us.
We try and help the girls to progress by challenging them. For example some of our Under 10 teams were short of players. It was agreed with the league that some of the Under 9 girls could help them out. A great experience for them!
Q: You lead a group of passionate and committed managers and coaches within the Ladies and Girls set up, can you explain the structure and key figures?
We will have 15 girls teams going forward next season and all the coaches are fantastic. They are committed to the girls and their development. Most of our coaches are parents who give up their time to coach and develop the girls. Tom Carmichael (Coach) is key to the club’s progression. Tom has taken a new team and worked hard to establish them, and when ready helped the new coach to transition with the team.
Q: Has this evolved much over time?
Definitely! When my daughter played for Maghull there were 3 teams. As I said before we have 15 girls teams coming through which is fantastic.
Q: As our youngsters progress through the age groups and leagues, what would success look like for the club?
Success would be a team at every age. That the younger girls we have now will progress through the age groups and eventually play for the ladies open age team. Success would be that every girl feels valued and enjoy their football.
Q: What advice would you give to young talent as they emerge from the youth set up to play open age football?
To enjoy it. To work hard, it does get tough but stick with it. It’s a hard transition at times but it will only improve their game.
Q: Now that the season has drawn to a close, what is your assessment of the Ladies first team in terms of highlights and building for the future?
The ladies team have had a hard season, due to low numbers. They have stuck with it and have ground out some great results. They have played a few games with only 9 players and have won games. They are a committed group and have worked so hard for each other.
Going forward they have had more younger players sign up, so next season is looking positive.
Q: What does planning for next season and beyond look like – for both the Ladies and youth set up?
Getting our new teams as much playing time as possible. Either friendlies or tournaments, so they are prepared for their league debut.
Getting our new ladies team players settled in and prepared for the season.
It’s looking really good and the girls section is growing from strength to strength every year. There’s always the opportunity for new teams to come through. It’s such an exciting time to be apart of Maghull FC and the plans for the future.
