The All India Football Federation (AIFF) in association with the Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC) and Football Federation Australia (FFA) conducted a workshop for 29 women coaches in the AIFF headquarters at Football House in New Delhi today (May 8, 2019).

The workshop was conducted by Rae Dower, FFA’s U-17 Women’s National Team Head Coach (and Vice President – Football Coaches Australia) and Emma Checker, Captain of Westfield W-League club Adelaide United, wherein the participants were tutored on the challenges faced by women coaches in general and how to deal with them. The workshop also entailed coaching philosophy, player management and other off the field topics which are imperative to the result on the pitch.

With India hosting the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2020, Rae Dower said that, “The U-17s should be looked as a team for developing players for the senior national team, which leaves behind a legacy.”

She further added that, “You either win or you learn in football. And if you are no learning then you are not reaching your potential. Having a goal without a plan is just a wish.”

“A suitable environment and opportunity is the key to develop holistic players and in a youth team educating the players and families about being an athlete is also important.”

Meanwhile Emma Checker explained the coaches her journey through the ranks of the youth setup.

“The workshop was very informative”, said Disha Malhotra. “We learned a lot from hearing their journeys and it provided us with technical insights into women’s football.”

(AIFF Media)