We are so excited to have teamed up with Barclays football ambassador and Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright – a massive advocate of the women’s game.
Together, we’ve launched grants dedicated to getting more women qualified across the UK to coach girls’ football at a grassroots level.
Barclays believe in creating opportunities for all through access to football. Through the Barclays Community Football Fund, we want to grow participation in football at every level.
But despite a huge increase in demand for girls’ football, in England, only 5% of FA-qualified coaches are women, meaning those girls playing lack representation and female role models.
Increasing the number of high-quality female coaches in the girls’ game is crucial to improve standards, and to show girls they can be involved in football in lots of different ways.
In England, only 5% of FA-qualified coaches are women.
Barclays is teaming up with Ian Wright and dedicating grants through the Barclays Community Football Fund to get more women qualified as coaches for girls.
This is to meet the massive increase in demand for football amongst girls, with 100,000 more girls now playing football compared to 5 years ago.
To launch these coaching grants, we've spoken to and photographed 10 incredible female coaches across England who have shared their inspiring stories.
Nikki Fairbairn, This Girls Ability FC
Somayeh Caeser, Lymore Gardens FC
Becca Todd, Team Brave
Rose Gordon, Ashton Pumas Girls FC
Annie Zaidi, Annie Z Coaching
Jess Smith, Coventrians FC
Shona McLean, FC Darlington Locomotives
Layla Ahmed, Families Against Violence
June Kelly MBE, Abraham Moss Warriors FC
Sophia Sanderson, Women of Colour and the Beautiful Game
Who is eligible to apply?
This fund is available to all clubs and groups that run football activities for girls and aspire to get more female coaches qualified! You are eligible even if you have already received a grant from the Barclays Community Football Fund.
We welcome applications from not-for-profit organisations, including community groups, youth groups, and traditional football clubs, who are submitting on behalf of the individuals who want to undertake their football coaching qualification.
Groups are welcome to apply from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The grant amount will fund a Level 1 or equivalent course in each Nation.
To be eligible for funding, the coaches you put forward must meet the following criteria:
- Identify as female
- Aged 16+
- Already coaching girls or would like to start
- Part of a club or group with girls’ football provision where they would like to begin or continue coaching (i.e. current player, parent of a player, volunteer etc.)
- Can undertake their coaching qualification within 12 months (subject to course availability)
To check you are eligible and make sure you have all the information you need to apply, please read the frequently asked questions below.
Female coaches for girls FAQs
How much funding can we apply for?
You can apply for funding to cover the cost of a Level 1 or equivalent qualification and any additional safeguarding and first aid requirements. You can apply to upskill up to two female coaches at your club or group.
The grant amount is determined by how many coaches you want to upskill and what country your organisation is based in. These amounts are below for your information.
England - £160 for one coach, £320 for two coaches
Scotland - £120 for one coach, £240 for two coaches
Wales - £200 for one coach, £400 for two coaches
Northern Ireland - £220 for one coach, £440 for two coaches
What is the deadline to apply?
The fund is currently open until April 2024 but may close earlier if we receive a large volume of applications.
What does our application need to include?
The Barclays Community Football Fund is all about the inclusion of young people from under-represented groups. This includes women and girls, young people with disabilities, from racially diverse communities, from the LGBTQ+ community and from lower socio-economic groups.
We want you to demonstrate how upskilling a new female coach will support the development of your football activities for girls. Tell us why the coach you are putting forward is great, and the positive impact they will have on the girls.
What can the funding be used for?
The funding is to be used specifically for training qualifications, to book female coaches on to their Level 1 Introduction to Coaching Football or equivalent course.
We are unable to use this funding to pay for higher level coaching courses at this time, or any other coaching costs.
What else do we need to submit along with our application?
- A bank statement in the name of the club or group. The statement needs to be dated within the last 3 months and clearly show the account name, sort code and account number. This is so we can make payment if you are successful. We are unable to pay funds into the personal bank accounts of coaches, so the account name must match the name of the organisation applying.
- We will also ask you to declare that you are a not-for-profit organisation, and have an up-to-date Safeguarding policy, Health and Safety policy and relevant insurance to cover your activities.
How do we book on to the coaching course?
If you are successful with your application, we will transfer the funds needed to the club or group. You can then book your coach on to the relevant course and pay for it directly. The course you book will depend on where you are in the UK. You will find links to book for all the relevant courses on this page.
When does the funding need to be spent?
Please book on to a coaching course as soon as possible after receiving the funding. The funding will ideally be spent within 6 months, to allow us to monitor the impact of the programme.
What reporting will we be required to complete?
We will ask you to send us a copy of the coaching certificate following successful completion of the course. We will also ask for feedback on how the coach has supported the development of girls activities at your club. Some groups may be selected for an audit and required to provide copies of booking and payment for the coaching course.
Are schools eligible to apply for the fund?
Due to the support Barclays offers to schools and other educational institutions through the Barclays Girls School Football Partnerships, these organisations are unfortunately not eligible to apply for this fund.
Our organisation has already received a grant from the Barclays Community Football Fund, can we still apply?
Yes. Existing grantees can apply to this fund to upskill up to two new female coaches.
Can I get help with my application?
If you cannot use the online form or need additional support to complete your application, we are happy to help. Please get in touch at [email protected]
Coaching course information
The coaching pathway varies across the four home nations, with each following a slightly different format. We have worked closely with the National Football Associations to offer funding for a Level 1 equivalent course in each country.
This fund offers grants as follows:
England £160
Includes Introduction to Coaching Football £100, First Aid £30 and Safeguarding £30
Scotland £120
Includes Introduction to Coaching £50, Level 1.2 Coaching Certificate £70 and Childrens Wellbeing - free
Wales £200
Includes Football Leaders Award £100, Emergency Aid £50 and Safeguarding £50
Northern Ireland £220
Includes the Irish FA National Coaching Certificate (Youth) £220
Below you will find links to Nation specific courses, including further details and costs.
The English Football Association
The Football Association (England)
Introduction to Coaching Football
This online football coaching course is perfect for anyone looking to lead a grassroots football team.
4 week online course – Minimum age 16 - £100
This course provides an awareness of best practice in safeguarding children in football.
2 hours online - Minimum age 16 - £30
Introduction to First Aid in Football
Develop your knowledge and understanding of medical care for players of all ages.
90-120 minutes online – Minimum age 16 - £30
This free course is for anyone interested in taking a more active role in grassroots football. You might be someone who wants to help out the coach at your child's club, or someone keen to get more involved at your school, college or uni football team. It might be that you love your walking football and want to bring some new skills to improve everyone's experience. Whatever volunteer role you're interested in, this course is a great introduction to our brilliant basics of making fun, safe and inclusive football happen for all. You don’t need any previous football qualifications to take this course.
The Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association
Introduction to Coaching
6 hours in person - Minimum age 16 - £50
This course is open to all coaches, experienced or otherwise and aims to develop a basic understanding of;
- The Scottish FA coach education pathway and the coach’s learning journey
- Effective communication and player interaction to develop effective delivery
- The fundamental principles of a games-based approach to player development
- The role of the coach within the Coaching Process
- How to solve some common problems faced by the coach.
Level 1.2 Coaching Certificate
12 hours in person – Minimum age 16 - £70
Childrens wellbeing in football
3 hours online – Minimum age 16 - free
This workshop demonstrates the positive experience football can have on children's wellbeing and considers their rights as part of their participation and involvement in football. The workshop also builds knowledge and understanding of the different types of abuse and bullying that young players can be exposed and what to do if we are ever concerned about a young footballer. The workshop concludes by giving coaches the confidence of awareness in safeguards and codes of conduct to ensure we are equipped to provide young players with the best opportunities possible.
The Football Association of Wales Trust
The Football Association of Wales Trust
Online course - 16 years+ - £100
This online eLearning award provides a basic and engaging introduction to the organisation of football practices in a fun, safe environment with an emphasis on engaging with the young players of today.
The award provides learners with an opportunity to discover and consider the technical and social support that we, as coaches, can provide to our players, discussing various practical aspects.
These include: the importance of area size, practice transitions, progressions and regressions, as well as ensuring the learner takes a closer look at themselves, their role as a coach, and how they currently share the messages they provide players.
Online - 3 hours - £50
A three-hour online course developing an awareness of first aid techniques within a football environment.
This course has been designed by the FAW Medical Department to meet the needs of grassroots football and the requirements of the FAW Club Accreditation Scheme.
Online - 3 hours - £50
A three-hour interactive on-course workshop to support candidates in developing good practice when working with children and vulnerable adults from across our sport.
The workshop will focus on identifying poor practice and recognising signs, symptoms and forms of abuse and how to react to concerns or disclosures. It will also provide advice on how to identify people and organisations that can help and provide support in such situations.
The Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association
Irish FA National Coaching Certificate (Youth)
Practical course – Minimum age 16 - £220
The Irish FA National Coaching Certificate prepares you to facilitate and organise coaching sessions within the grassroots game.
Understand your role as a coach and the importance of facilitation, organisation, safeguarding and health and safety.
Irish FA Grassroots Introduction to Coaching Award
e-learning – Minimum age 14 - £20
Designed to provide an overview of the football context in Northern Ireland.
Prepares candidates who are coaching within grassroots football on the skills required as a grassroots coach, offering strategies and education on coaching development. It is specifically designed for new coaches, volunteers, grassroots leaders, schools, parents and guardians working in the area of Grassroots Football with children between the ages of 5 and 12. Also offers a support network to start candidate coaches on their coaching journey.