This week on The Set Peace Podcast, we’re joined by Ace Ishmael Francis, a coach, developer, mentor, and leader whose journey through football has been built on purpose, resilience, and creating opportunities for others.
Ace’s story begins within professional academy environments, spending time at different football clubs, experiences that shaped her understanding of both the opportunities and challenges within the game. But this episode isn’t just about the clubs it’s about carving out a space in football where impact matters as much as progression.
In the first half of the conversation, Ace reflects on her pathway through football and coaching, including her experiences working internationally in Canada and the USA, and how those environments influenced her approach to player development and culture. We talk about learning to lead in spaces where she often had to earn respect quickly, and how knowledge, consistency and authenticity became her strengths in an industry still evolving in how it supports women in football.
The second half of the episode moves into purpose beyond the pitch. As a Regional Talent Manager within the Women’s Talent Pathway, Ace speaks openly about responsibility, mentorship, and the importance of safeguarding young players both on and off the field. She shares the thinking behind founding Project Ace Sports, her development academy aimed at creating better environments for young players
This is a conversation about leadership, representation, and building structures that last. Ace’s journey shows that success in football isn’t just about where you play it’s about what you leave behind for the next generation.
A thoughtful, honest and inspiring episode about football, development, and using the game as a platform for real change.
The set peace podcast is about more than football it’s about the people behind it.
Every 2 weeks, we sit down with guests across the game from pros to physios, coaches to players, these are the conversations we all need to hear, in football and in life.
With 45 minutes talking football and 45 minutes on mental health and well-being these conversations are for everyone whether you’re in football or not.
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