Coach Mentors
Offering on-the-ground support
Alongside the FA, we are committed to supporting grassroots coaches to start and continue coaching with confidence, with the aim of supporting more transformational coaches. We offer.
'Mentoring is to support, encourage & challenge coaches to manage their own learning within their own specific context, helping them maximise their potential, develop their skills, recognise their attributes; and all towards them becoming the coach & person they want to be.'
Below you can find the details of the Coach mentors we have assigned to support our grassroots community in Gloucestershire.
Meet The coach mentor team!
Emily Petteford
FA Women & Girls Community Champion
Aim of role: To provide opportunities and support to new female coaches who ‘step over the sidelines’ and begin their coaching journey within grassroots football.
"My first coaching role began with Bath City Community Foundation where I worked within primary and secondary schools delivering PE, lunchtime and after school clubs. My role with the foundation expanded into other provisions such as running FA wildcats and Just Play sessions.
From this, I started to run a girls youth section for Frome Town Women, which led into my current role now for GET Sported delivering a range of sports but specifically football. Currently, I work with teachers to upskill them as well as deliver PE, lunchtime and after school sessions for GET Sported.
Alongside varied coaching roles over the last 6 years I juggle my time with my studies. My background consists of Sports Coaching and Development, Sport and Exercise Science Bsc Hons and I am currently studying for a Masters in Strength and Conditioning.
Random fact: I used to compete as a cheerleader."
If you want support from Emily, please complete the form below and we will put you in touch with her.
Bethany Smith
FA Coach Mentor (Women & Girls)
"With a PE and coaching educational background, I have previously been involved with the FA Mentoring Scheme for both Devon FA and Kent FA on both Wildcats and Club Improvement Programmes. Since the restart of the Coach Mentoring programme with the FA in the 21/22 season, I have been covering the Gloucestershire region as an FA Coach Mentor, working and supporting intentional female coaches.
It has been a fantastic journey so far, supporting over 10 female coaches within their coaching environments. This has involved working with club environments, delivering sessions, and bespoke support and mentoring to coaches that are on their coaching journey. Alongside this, our work does include the Women’s Coach Development Group that encourages female coaches to join, enhance their network and develop as coaches to be the best they can possibly be for their development and coaching environment.
I am looking forward to continuing to develop coaches in the Women and Girls section for this coming season and am willing to help in any way possible to make a positive impact and difference within the region."
Simon Russell
FA Coach Mentor (Disability Football) Support
Simon Russell works to support coaches volunteering within Disability Football as well as coaches with a disability. The support on offer depends on the context and ambitions of the coaches supported, though what is consistent is that what is delivered is discussed and agreed with each individual.
"I'm really enjoying the opportunity to work with coaches involved in this important part of our game and also with coaches who might have some form of impairment that are contributing to any format of football. Taking time to understand what these coaches want to achieve for themselves and their players and then working with them to achieve that is enormously rewarding.
There are now some great resources and learning opportunities to both build on what happens now and also to expand the opportunities to play.
I've been involved in football for longer than I care to admit. Working in disability football is great fun and it is helping me to consider my practice as a coach and mentor."
If you would like support from Simon then please fill out the form below and we will reach out to you shortly.
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
North West – Steve Smithies – steve.smithies@thefa.com
North East – Graeme Carrick – graeme.carrick@thefa.com
East Midlands – Samantha Griffiths – samantha.griffiths@thefa.com
West Midlands – Andy Somers – andy.somers@thefa.com
East – Darren Moss – darren.moss@thefa.com
South East – Kevin England – kevin.england@thefa.com
London/ Armed Forces/ Jersey/ Guernsey – Kevin Green – kevin.green@thefa.com
South West – Ciara Allan – ciara.allan@thefa.com