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Showing episodes and shows of
Steph Fairbairn
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Women's Soccer Coaching
Euro 2025 special: Norway's Gemma Grainger and Wales's Nia Davies
Join Carrie Dunn as she speaks to two coaches heading to Euro 2025.Norway manager Gemma Grainger is leading the two-time European champions at Euro 2025. First up, she tells Carrie about her approach and her journey to the top.Wales Women’s under-19s coach is at Euro 25 as part of the technical team for the senior side. She then speaks to Carrie about her role in Switzerland and the impact of tournament qualification on the pathway in Wales.Make sure to visit our Euro 2025 hub to find more content on the tournament, designed to...
2025-07-02
51 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Emma Thomson: 'We have to talk'
North Carolina Courage assistant coach Emma Thomson has an important second job, as a mother. She tells Carrie Dunn more conversations must take place to improve support to women in the game trying to do both roles.
2025-06-10
32 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Alexandra Szarvas: 'Jump on this train'
That’s the call from ambitious Hungary head coach Alexandra Szarvas to clubs as she aims to improve her country’s fortunes. Carrie Dunn finds out how she got the national team job – and what she wants to do with it...
2025-05-14
38 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Lydia Bedford: 'Enjoy the chaos'
After roles with the England youth teams, Arsenal, Leicester and Brentford men’s U18s, Lydia Bedford’s next challenge is starting from scratch with Calgary Wild. She tells Carrie Dunn it’s a big job – but one she relishes...
2025-04-09
35 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Lekeisha Gumbs: My kind of town!
It’s more than 6,000km from Lekeisha Gumbs’ home city of Leicester to her current role with Chicago City. She tells Carrie Dunn about her transatlantic life, the value of mentorship and why every player matters...
2025-03-12
24 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Bev Yanez: A mother's pride
Juggling her dual role as head coach of Racing Louisville and parent to two young girls, Bev Yanez is busy. But, she tells Carrie Dunn, support from her players and staff has been vital – particularly after a personal tragedy.CONTENT WARNING: This article, and the accompanying podcast, includes references to pregnancy loss
2025-02-12
35 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Laura Harvey: The Reign maker
With silverware at Arsenal and Seattle, Laura Harvey has proved herself a champion on both sides of the Atlantic. She talks to Carrie Dunn about the advice that kickstarted it all and what she tells other women in coaching.
2025-01-09
27 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Anson Dorrance - A legend reflects
After 45 years shaping the early careers of some future global female stars, Anson Dorrance has retired. The former University of North Carolina and World Cup-winning USA head coach looks back with Carrie Dunn.
2024-12-11
36 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Kat Mertz: Her cancer story
In April, MSU Denver head coach Kat Mertz was diagnosed with breast cancer, and, in June, opted to undergo a double mastectomy, aged 48. She speaks to Carrie Dunn and stresses the importance of early detection.
2024-11-13
28 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Jackline Juma - Desire to inspire
As the first woman to lead an elite male team in Kenya, FC Talanta’s head coach Jackline Duma now wants to use her profile and experiences to motivate a new generation of female coaches. Carrie Dunn spoke to her.
2024-10-09
19 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Karen Hills - Project Charlton
After guiding Tottenham into the WSL and leading their transition to full-time soccer, Karen Hills now has the same task at Charlton Athletic, where she enjoyed success as a player. She explains all to Carrie Dunn.
2024-09-11
25 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Samantha Griffiths - Learning on the job
Leadership may have come naturally to Derby County Women head coach SAMANTHA GRIFFITHS, who has been in charge for six years. But, as she tells CARRIE DUNN, some parts of management took some getting used to.
2024-08-14
21 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Emily Husband - Poker-faced winner
‘Emotionless’ on the sidelines, but with a competitive streak that has taken her from youth soccer to the elite level, Central Coast Mariners head coach Emily Husband takes Carrie Dunn on a journey through her career...
2024-07-10
25 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Erica Suter Mulholland - Mitigating change
Experiencing menopause and perimenopause symptoms is not ‘just a part of life’ – there are ways you can manage them. Performance specialist and S&C coach ERICA SUTER MULHOLLAND explains how to CARRIE DUNN.
2024-06-12
23 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Camilla Orlando - Chance for change
For Palmeiras head coach CAMILLA ORLANDO, soccer has always been about more than just results. She tells CARRIE DUNN about her passion for inspiring youngsters, developing the game and her own high ambitions.
2024-05-08
30 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Becky Burleigh - The Burleigh years
One of US college soccer’s most successful coaches, BECKY BURLEIGH led the University of Florida program for 25 years and coached a star-studded Orlando Pride. She talks principles, people and Marta with CARRIE DUNN.
2024-04-10
25 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Aliceann Wilber - The history maker
In 1980, self-confessed soccer novice ALICEANN WILBER became William Smith College’s first head coach – 44 years, 640 wins and two national titles later, she is a Hall of Famer who tells CARRIE DUNN she still loves her job.
2024-03-13
28 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Juan Carlos Amoros - Live the journey
Gotham City head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, 2023’s NWSL coach of the year, opens up to CARRIE DUNN about adapting to different cultures, delegating wisely, an emotional Spurs reunion and not being a ‘superhero’.
2024-02-14
24 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Sally Needham - The brain game
When it comes to understanding player behaviour, human development specialist Sally Needham says neuroscience holds the key. She explains to Carrie Dunn how to harness it and transform coaching relationships.
2024-01-10
32 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Paige Palazzolo - Turning the Paige. Plus: 2023 Reflections
A goalkeeper grounded in futsal, Paige Palazzolo is now head coach of the US Women’s Amputee National Team. She tells Carrie Dunn how she came to be in the role and the challenges and triumphs it can bring. Plus Women's Soccer Coaching Editor Hannah Duncan, and Editor-in-chief, Steph Fairbairn, discuss three years of WSC!Read the article: Women's Soccer Coaching - Coaching Advice - Paige Palazzolo: Coaching amputee players (womenssoccercoaching.com)Get more from Women's Soccer Coaching: Women's Soccer Coaching - Home (womenssoccercoaching.com)
2023-12-13
51 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Chelsea Noonan - Chelsea's Challenge
Earlier this year, Chelsea Noonan took a leap of faith - leaving behind what she describes as her “dream job” to move halfway across the world for a new challenge.Previously, Noonan worked for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) as a development officer and as assistant coach for the U17s women’s national team. Now, she is in Melbourne, working with Women’s A-League team Western United in a dual assistant-coach and analysis role. So what was it that made her move to Australia?Read the article: Women's Soccer Coaching...
2023-11-08
35 min
Who's Got The Balls?
Reflecting On Reflecting
The final episode of Season 1 of Who’s Got The Balls? is here, and it's a chance to reflect!Ali and Steph discuss the act of reflecting on your coaching, look back at the first season of the podcast and reflect on what they think of it, and answer some listener questions.Plus, Steph licks the mic, Ali finally gets to reveal her catchphrase, and they talk about the best coaches they've worked with.Get in touch: aliandsteph@whosgottheballs.comwww.whosgottheballs.comInstagram: @whosgottheballspodcastWho's Got The Ba...
2023-10-17
58 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Carolina Morace - The London Pride
Carolina Morace is the new leader of the pack at London City Lionesses. But what lured the Italy icon to England’s second tier? She discusses the reasons and how she gets her playing style across with Steph Fairbairn.Read the article: Women's Soccer Coaching - Coaching Advice - Carolina Morace: Leading London City Lionesses (womenssoccercoaching.com)Get more from Women's Soccer Coaching: Women's Soccer Coaching - Home (womenssoccercoaching.com)
2023-10-11
26 min
Who's Got The Balls?
Ally, Ally, Ally
This episode of Who’s Got The Balls? is all about male allyship.Ali and Steph discuss the challenges women who coach face due to their gender, the ways male coaches can show their support, and offer some examples of both good - and not so good - male allyship.Plus, Steph makes some very niche cultural references, Ali struggles to wink successfully, and they debate whether recording a second season in Ali's shed would be viable.Get in touch: aliandsteph@whosgottheballs.comwww.whosgottheballs.comInstagram: @whosgottheballspodcast
2023-10-03
55 min
Who's Got The Balls?
Being Vulnerable
This episode of Who’s Got The Balls? is all about mental health.Both Ali and Steph talk about their mental health difficulties, their experiences of supporting players with their mental health, and what more they think needs to be done to equip coaches to do so effectively, while also taking care of themselves.Plus, Ali shares why she's taking a break from coaching and Steph talks about her experience of Pure O.Please note: This episode makes numerous references to mental health difficulties and abuses of power in the game.
2023-09-19
1h 03
Women's Soccer Coaching
Leah Stringer - Stringer’s start-up
In a year’s time, history will be made for Lincoln University of Missouri when its women’s soccer team begins its first-ever season.The team will compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, an NCAA Division II level league. It will be led by Leah Stringer, a former interim head coach at Missouri Western and assistant coach at Northeast Texas Community College.On the honour of being Lincoln University’s first women’s soccer coach, Stringer told WSC: “When the announcement came out, my family and friends were all congratulating me and asking how it fee...
2023-09-13
26 min
Who's Got The Balls?
A Force To Be Reckoned With
Ali and Steph discuss parents in this episode of Who’s Got The Balls? They talk about good parent behaviour, not so good parent behaviour, and the importance of coaches communicating with parents.Plus, Ali still hasn't found a place to put her hands, Steph reveals Ali's trade secrets, and they address the most important topic to grace the podcast this far: how to clean your boots.Read Steph's article on where parents should be on matchday.Read Gemma Bell's article on coaching your own child.Get in touch: al...
2023-09-05
51 min
Who's Got The Balls?
Orange Sock Euphoria
In this episode of Who’s Got The Balls? Ali and Steph talk about matchday. They discuss how big an occasion match day can be for players, what winning really means, and the coach's role in managing matchday.Plus, Steph shares one of her most stressful coaching memories, Ali takes a while to get comfy, and they introduce a new segment which Ali is very excited about.Read Steph's article on how to decide how many players take on a matchday.Get in touch: aliandsteph@whosgottheballs.comwww...
2023-08-29
1h 00
Who's Got The Balls?
WWC 23 | Bonus Ep
In this bonus episode of Who’s Got The Balls? Ali and Steph reflect on the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. They discuss the performance of their home nation (England) in the final, identify lessons coaches can take from the tournament, and get into some of the off-pitch issues surrounding Spain's win.Plus, both share what their initial (shameful) predictions for the Lionesses were, Ali fan girls over Mary Earps, and Steph tells the story of her trusty bucket hat.Get in touch: aliandsteph@whosgottheballs.comwww.whosgottheballs.com...
2023-08-21
45 min
Who's Got The Balls?
Pet Peeves
This episode of Who’s Got The Balls? is all about coaching behaviours.Ali and Steph discuss their non-negotiables, behaviours they can't stand, and how our behaviours can help to create safe spaces for our players.Plus, Steph shares one of the original (awful) name options for the pod, Ali talks about her use of the Q&A technique, and both reflect honestly on how coaching behaviours can differ between male and female coaches.Get in touch: aliandsteph@whosgottheballs.comwww.whosgottheballs.comInstagram: @whosgottheballspodcastWho's Go...
2023-08-15
53 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Casey Brown - More than results
“Success, for me, is a process,” says Boston University women’s soccer head coach Casey Brown.“It is the process of trying to become great,” she adds. “It is the process of trying to become better every day. It’s the journey.“That’s how we view it in our program. That’s how I try to view it in the way I lead and coach.“It is not a destination but a journey and a process that we get to go on every day with our amazing student athletes.”
2023-08-09
25 min
Who's Got The Balls?
Unwashed Bibs
In this episode of Who’s Got The Balls? Ali and Steph discuss the all-important topic of planning. They talk about how vital planning is, how they go about it, stuff we don’t always plan but we should, and potential planning pitfalls.Plus, Steph discusses some issues with her fridge, Ali’s memory fails her, and they both share a game-changing high five technique.Let us know your thoughts: aliandsteph@whosgottheballs.com Get in touch: aliandsteph@whosgottheballs.comwww.whosgottheballs.comInstagram: @whosgottheballspodcast
2023-08-08
51 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
The Women's World Cup coach diaries | Ep 4 | Ending on a high
In the final episode of our special series, Steph Fairbairn and Matt Ross, Republic of Korea Assistant coach, catch up after Korea held Germany to a 1-1 draw.Matt reflects on a brilliant performance and result, ponders why it took so long for Korea to show what they can do, explains what life will look like for him over the next few weeks, and offers coaches of all levels some solid advice...
2023-08-04
18 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
The Women's World Cup coach diaries | Ep 3 | One more group game to go
In episode three of our special series, Steph Fairbairn and Matt Ross, Republic of Korea Assistant coach, chat once more.It's the day after Korea's 1-0 loss to Morocco, which leaves them at the bottom of their World Cup group.Matt reflects honestly on his team's performance throughout the tournament so far, shares more about his support system, and looks ahead to Korea's final group fixture against Germany...
2023-07-31
17 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
The Women's World Cup coach diaries | Ep 2 | All eyes on game two
In the second episode of our special series, Steph Fairbairn and Matt Ross, Republic of Korea Assistant coach, chat again.This time, it's the day after Korea's 2-0 defeat to Colombia. Matt shares his thoughts on the game, how the team's attention has quickly turned to the next fixture against Morocco, and what his schedule is like as a coach at the World Cup...
2023-07-26
13 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
The Women's World Cup coach diaries | Ep 1 | The night before kick off
In the first episode in a special series, Steph Fairbairn sits down with Matt Ross, Republic of Korea Assistant coach, to get an insight into what goes into being a soccer coach on the biggest stage of them all.It's the night before Korea's first match - a Group H fixture against Colombia.Matt shares how the team have prepared, how they want to play, and, importantly, if he thinks he'll get any sleep ahead of the big event...
2023-07-24
09 min
Who's Got The Balls?
Flappy Ankles
In this pilot episode, Ali and Steph discuss why Who's Got The Balls? came to be, what they hope it will provide to the coaching community, and the painstaking process of coming up with a name. They delve into why they got into coaching and whether or not those reasons have changed over the course of their time in coaching, before inviting you to consider the same about your own coaching journey. Plus, both state their case for the best way to wear coaching trousers. How do you wear yours?Let us know wh...
2023-07-24
53 min
Soccer Coach Weekly
Moritz Kossman - Pressing
For Moritz Kossmann, pressing is the primary defensive action in soccer.It is, in his words, “an attempt at putting pressure on an opponent who has the ball so that they can't progress the ball up the field easily".Moritz - who has now moved on from his role at Ubuntu Football Academy to become DStv Diski Challenge coach and head of youth at Cape Town City - sat down with Steph Fairbairn to discuss collective pressing strategies, individual pressing principles and how to coach it all...
2023-07-21
38 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Molly Bartrip - Molly's journey
In July 2021, Molly Bartrip rejoined Tottenham Hotspur, the club where she had started her career as a nine-year-old.Bartrip was 25 at the time of her homecoming, which she called a “full circle” moment. She had been away from the club for 16 years, most recently at Arsenal and Reading, and hit 100 WSL appearances in April this year. However, “full circle” also referred to the journey she’d been on as a person in that time.In February 2022, half a season into her second stint with her club, Bartrip detailed that journey in depth in a...
2023-07-12
30 min
Soccer Coach Weekly
Moritz Kossman - Passing
Passing is more than just transferring the ball from one player to the other. At the elite levels, in particular, it is like a secret language, full of non-verbal signals and triggers, underpinned by players' ability to see the bigger picture in their heads.Moritz - who has now moved on from his role at Ubuntu Football Academy to become DStv Diski Challenge coach and head of youth at Cape Town City - sat down with Steph Fairbairn to discuss how passing can be used as a form of communication, the decision-making that goes into it and...
2023-07-07
40 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Lars Søndergaard - The wait is over
For the first time since 2007, Denmark are going to the Women’s World Cup.An outstanding qualifying campaign – winning all eight games, scoring 40 goals and conceding only two - was built on the lessons from last year’s Euros.On that occasion, Denmark didn’t get out of a group which also contained Germany, Spain and Finland.Heading into this tournament, though, they are equipped with more experience and, many would say, an easier group. Alongside European champions England, Denmark’s other early opposition are China and Haiti.Whi...
2023-06-14
32 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Nicole Lukic - Nicole's stars align
In the first season of the USL W League - a pre-professional women’s soccer league in the USA - Minnesota Aurora lived up to its name and shone.Nicole Lukic’s team topped the Heartland Division, winning 11 of 12 games and drawing the other, scoring 35 goals and boasting the second highest goal difference across all the league’s seven divisions.Sadly, they saved their first loss for the championship game, when Tormenta FC beat them 2-1 after extra time. So near, and yet it will have felt so far.The USLW awarde...
2023-05-10
24 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Meg Nemzer - Maryland mission
In December 2021, Meg Ryan Nemzer took on her dream job – head women’s soccer coach at the University of Maryland. For the Maryland native, getting offered the role was a ‘full circle’ moment. Nemzer attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she was co-captain for three consecutive seasons and a key pillar of what many called the best defense in the country.In 2006, the team conceded just six goals and achieved 16 clean sheets – the most in Rutgers’ history.Nemzer went on to coach at Rutgers, spending 14 years there and working her w...
2023-04-12
39 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Sarah Lowdon - Cutting a dash
For Sarah Lowdon, the past year has been somewhat of a whirlwind.She went from being unemployed - a volunteer coach at college level - to acting head coach on the US’s biggest stage.Having left Penn State University in 2021 and joined NWSL team Houston Dash in March 2022 as an assistant coach, Lowdon was elevated to acting head coach just weeks later. She kept that role for half a season.“It was a crazy year,” Lowdon reflects to WSC, on a period when she went from no job to hav...
2023-03-08
29 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Lisa Cole - Keeping the faith
In 1992, the backpass rule was brought in by soccer lawmakers IFAB - and inadvertantly changed one player’s career.Introduced to discourage time-wasting, the rule dictates that a goalkeeper cannot handle the ball following an intentional pass from a teammate, made using the foot. It had a significant effect on the role of the goalkeeper and how they are coached, both technically and tactically.More specifically, it made a direct impact on Lisa Cole. Now director of goalkeeping at United Soccer Coaches, Cole began her playing career as an outfielder.“I’m actua...
2023-02-08
43 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Anja Heiner-Møller - Anja’s ambition
Anja’s journey - from being a lone girl in boys’ teams to among the most qualified and well-respected female coaches in Denmark - has been one in which she has “said yes to every opportunity”,As a player, she worked her way through the youth national teams, before gaining seven caps for the senior team. A midfielder, she was part of the Danish squad at the 2001 European Championships, where they were knocked out by Sweden in the semi-finals.She also played in the Uefa Women’s Cup - now the Women’s Champions League - for Brøndb...
2023-01-11
25 min
Soccer Coach Weekly
Steph Fairbairn - Turning the tables
Steph Fairbairn joined her first soccer team as an eight-year-old, back in 2001.Then, the women's game in England trailed behind in participation and attendances - so much so that, in 2006, Steph was part of a double-figure crowd for a top-flight game, chatting in the bar with England players Jill Scott, Fara Williams and Rachel Unitt.The current landscape is very different. WSL crowds are In the thousands and thecurrent Lionesses get mobbed wherever they go, thanks to their victory in the Women's Euros last July. Steph was there to see it - along...
2023-01-06
39 min
ICE Tech Talks
Explainer: the four-minute carbon literacy overview
To avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a habitable planet, we must stop temperature rise. Civil engineers have a key role to play in doing this. This ICE audio explainer explores the relevant targets, the global commitments to tackling climate change, and how the way in which the construction industry designs, builds and manages infrastructure needs to change. Episode produced by Steph Fairbairn.
2022-12-19
04 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Mirelle van Rijbroek - Eyes on the prize
Mirelle van Rijbroek is the person currently in charge of unearthing the next rough diamonds to be shaped into sparkling gems.Since 2017, van Rijbroek has been the US Soccer Federation’s (USSF) Director of Talent Identification for the girls’ pathway, a job she says is more a “way of life”.Born in the Netherlands, van Rijbroek moved to Australia at the age of 22 to pursue her dream of playing soccer at the highest level. While playing, and working, she completed her Uefa C, B and A licences.She went on to be...
2022-12-14
38 min
ICE Tech Talks
Decarbonising the water industry: the journey to net zero
In 2019, following the UK government’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050, every water company in England agreed a Public Interest Commitment, setting five demanding goals, including a pledge to reach net zero on operational emissions by 2030. In 2020, this commitment was reaffirmed, and Water UK published the Net Zero 2030 Routemap, detailing how it would be achieved. One of the three senior industry figures leading on this commitment is Heidi Mottram CBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Northumbrian Water Group Limited and Northumbrian Water Limited since 2010. In this ICE podcast, Heidi joins ICE director of engineering knowledge Mark Han...
2022-12-07
25 min
ICE Tech Talks
Explainer: The four-minute decarbonising the water sector overview
Water is an essential resource, and water infrastructure is a fundamental component of prosperous, healthy economies. However, like all infrastructure sectors, the water industry has a responsibility to reduce its impact on climate change. This ICE audio explainer explores strategies to decarbonise the water sector, and how engineers can play their part. Episode produced by Steph Fairbairn.
2022-12-07
03 min
ICE Tech Talks
The transport sector’s journey to net zero
Transport is the UK's largest emitting sector. By adopting new technologies and overhauling old systems, the transport industry can drastically cut its carbon emissions. Civil engineers working to decarbonise transport must play a careful balancing act, generating value and increasing efficiency while also reducing risk. Where are there big opportunities for decarbonising the transport sector? And what obstacles are we still trying to overcome? In this ICE podcast, ICE knowledge content director Alex Wynne is joined by Stephen Elderkin, director of environmental sustainability for National Highways, and Conor McCone, carbon manager at Skanska UK, to explore what...
2022-12-05
38 min
ICE Tech Talks
ICE in conversation with Grenfell Next of Kin
The Grenfell Tower tragedy, its causes and its consequences cut to the heart of the practice of civil engineers. In 2021, the ICE received a request for support from Grenfell Next of Kin, a grassroots support initiative representing immediate family members of the disaster’s victims. The ICE called on John Carpenter, an ICE member at the forefront of driving competence around safety in construction, to assist. In the support he provided the group, John embodied the ICE’s Code of Professional Conduct, demonstrating how members can enact their ‘overriding responsibility to the public good’. In this ICE...
2022-12-05
29 min
ICE Tech Talks
Explainer: The seven-minute ICE Code of Professional Conduct overview
Members of the Institution of Civil Engineers should always be aware of their overriding responsibility to the public good. This includes care and respect for humanity's cultural, historical and archaeological heritage and a duty to protect the health and wellbeing of present and future generations, and show due regard for the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources. These obligations form the basis of ICE's Code of Professional Conduct, which is explored in this explainer, including thoughts from Gordon Masterton, chair of future infrastructure at the University of Edinburgh School of Engineering and ICE past-president and M...
2022-12-05
07 min
ICE Tech Talks
Explainer: The four-minute structural resilience overview
Whether it be a change of use, increase in load, or hazards caused by climate change, modern buildings and infrastructure are subject to a number of hazards to which they must be resilient. This audio explainer explores what resilience really means, and the civil engineer's role in ensuring structural resilience, and resilience in a more holistic sense. Produced by Steph Fairbairn and Dr Joe Jackson.
2022-12-02
03 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Natalie Lawrence - Wellington roots
On November 20, under the lights at Sky Stadium, and in front of up to 34,500 fans, Wellington Phoenix will make history.When the team kicks off their 2022-23 A-League Women campaign, it will be thefirst time a professional women’s soccer team from New Zealand have played on the country’s soil.Phoenix joined the league last season as an expansion team, but - like their male counterparts - played their home games in Australia, to avoid the travel complications associated with Covid restrictions.Now, though, they are able to return home - an...
2022-11-09
35 min
ICE Tech Talks
Explainer: The five-minute health and wellbeing overview
The mental health and wellbeing of those working in the construction industry should be a key priority for organisations, leaders, and individuals alike. This audio explainer looks at the elements impacting mental health and wellbeing in the industry, how these are exacerbated for those working in remote locations, and what can be done to improve the status quo. Content warning - please note, this audio explainer makes reference to mental ill-health, and briefly mentions suicide. Speaker: Steph Fairbairn Producer: Dr Joe Jackson This audio explainer re...
2022-11-02
04 min
ICE Tech Talks
Manchester’s Mayfield Depot project – retrofit in action
ICE director of engineering knowledge Mark Hansford and ICE knowledge content director Alex Wynne are joined by Stephen O'Malley, chief executive and co-founder of Civic Engineers, for a discussion about the approach taken to retrofit Mayfield Depot. This former railway station in Manchester is undergoing regeneration as an arts, music, culture and community space - and retrofitting plays an integral role. Episode produced by James Crumly and Steph Fairbairn. This podcast relates to the ICE CPD framework sector Core.
2022-11-02
29 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Freya Coombe - Expansion pack
In their first year as an NWSL expansion team, and despite finishing eighth in the standings, Angel City FC had one of the best defensive records in the division, bettered only by the top three.It is something the new Los Angeles team prides themselves on, says head coach Freya Coombe. And it is no coincidence that they have achieved it with Coombe in charge.Indeed, in the 2021 season, when she was at the helm of NJ/NY Gotham FC (formerly Sky Blue FC), they boasted the second-best defensive performance in the league. I...
2022-10-12
21 min
ICE Tech Talks
Explainer: The four-minute design risk management overview
Design risk management (DRM) should be part of a holistic approach to design on all projects, and those involved in any construction project should understand their duties relating to DRM under the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015. This audio explainer explores what design risk management is and how it can be adequately and appropriately considered across all project stages. Episode produced by Steph Fairbairn.
2022-09-26
04 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Rachel Lever - Living with ‘Endo’
Rachel Lever is women’s youth academy manager at Manchester City, overseeing the under-16s and under-21s. She also lives, and coaches, with endometriosis.It is a debilitating condition, where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.Some of the key symptoms include severe pain that stops or restricts normal activity, feeling sick, heavy periods and, sometimes, fertility problems. In the UK, it takes, on average, eight years - yes, years - for someone to be diagnosed with end...
2022-09-14
29 min
OWN YOUR VYBE
Ep.19 - Homophobia in Healthcare: How to Speak Up ft. Steph Fairbairn
OWN YOUR VYBE with Beverley Akufo-Addo - Host, Founder, Coach and Consultant at Vybe365. Today, I'm joined by special guest Steph Fairbairn (@slfairbairn) who is a writer, editor, all-round creative and football coach. We discuss Steph's experience of homophobia in healthcare - particularly with reproductive health treatment - and share tips on self-advocacy, speaking up and challenging practitioners when feeling vulnerable. To connect with Steph and her work, please visit: https://www.instagram.com/slfairbairn https://www.medium.com/@stephfairbairn Use the hashtag #OwnYourVybe to share your views and...
2022-09-08
30 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Carla Ward - The Magic Ward
In November 2017, Carla Ward joined Sheffield United - then in the fourth tier of the English women’s pyramid - as player assistant manager.She had just left United’s cross-city neighbours Sheffield FC, who were in the second-tier WSL 2. It was the classic case of an experienced head dropping down a couple of divisions to offer the benefit of their experience, both on and off the pitch. But just three months later came Ward’s Sliding Doors moment.United manager Dan O’Hearne stepped down, forcing the 34-year-old Ward into a difficult decision...
2022-08-10
19 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Amy Rodriguez and Lou Roberts - A-Rod's New Era and Stoking the Fire
Part 1 - Amy Rodriguez - A-Rod's New EraAll-time US great AMY RODRIGUEZ is taking her first steps into coaching after accepting an offer to return to the college where her storied playing career began. She reveals to STEPH FAIRBAIRN how it all came about...Part 2 - Lou Roberts - Stoking the FireShe lived a dream by captaining her hometown club. Now LOU ROBERTS is on the coaching staff and tells STEPH FAIRBAIRN about her journey...
2022-07-13
41 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Lowri Roberts & Kat Lovett - The Welsh Way
Elite girls’ soccer in Wales has just come to the end of a transformative season – the first in which the Football Association of Wales (FAW) Trust Girls’ Academy u14s and u16s squads competed against boys.When this plan was announced in April 2021, Lowri Roberts - head of women’s and girls’ football at the FAW, and the spearhead behind this new approach - said: “Our aim is simple; to provide more best-v-best opportunities in training and games for our most talented girls.”She was just as committed to that goal last month, when I caught up wi...
2022-06-08
44 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Tracey Kevins - Shaping Futures
Reflecting on how the female game has changed over the course of her coaching career is no mean feat for Tracey Kevins. During her near 20-year career in soccer, it has, she says, developed immeasurably into something that would have seemed “too far a reach for the female game” when she started out.Kevins was at the FA between 2005 and 2012, operating as a coach across the U15s, U17s, U19s and U23s age groups. She began working in the US in 2013, first as head coach with LA Strikers FC, then as tec...
2022-05-12
36 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Stephanie Savino - American Dream
Stephanie Savino is counting down the days until May 17, when the first ball is kicked in the new USL W League.A revived and slightly tweaked version of the 1995-2015 iteration of the W-League, the competition is described on its website as “the nation’s pre-professional league, developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field, enhancing the women’s soccer pipeline between college and professional soccer”.It seems a perfect fit for Savino, who has spent her life’s work advocating for females to have more space in soccer.She off...
2022-04-13
22 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Keri Sanchez - Hire and Higher
Keri Sanchez comes with a glowing resume – a standout playing career intertwinedwith, then followed by, a number of high profile, successful coaching roles.Sanchez’s first step into coaching came in 1996 with a call from the former goalkeepercoach of her college team, the North Carolina Tar Heels: Bill Steffen.Steffen was going to restart the University of Oregon’s women’s soccer program, ashead coach, and he invited Sanchez to be his assistant.Having just graduated from the University of North Carolina with a BA in health and...
2022-03-10
26 min
Soccer Coach Weekly
George Roberts - 'There's no need to reinvent the wheel'
George Roberts began his coaching journey as a community sports coach, delivering PE sessions, after-school clubs and soccer camps, writes Steph Fairbairn.He worked at development centres and shadowed some coaches at Centres of Excellence, and is now with Plymouth Argyle. He is the under-nines' assistant coach at the English club's academy.UEFA B qualified, George also works as a marketing and communications officer with Cornwall FA.Soccer Coach Weekly caught up with George to talk all things session design, including how to go about planning your...
2022-03-05
27 min
ICE Tech Talks
A change in mindset: rivers for recreational use in the UK
Martin Christmas and Ian Dunhill of the Environment Agency discuss the new impetus on ensuring and maintaining bathing water for rivers in the UK. They share how clean the UK's rivers currently are, explain the legislation governing the designation and grading of rivers, and set some personal and professional challenges for engineers. Episode hosted and produced by Steph Fairbairn. These case studies relate to the CPD framework sector Water, sewage and inland water bodies, and topic 'Bathing water for rivers'. If you are an ICE member, you may also enjoy more content on this topic...
2022-02-25
44 min
ICE Tech Talks
Explainer: The five-minute bathing water overview
The what, why and how of bathing waters for rivers are summarised in this explainer, including some of the history, and the challenges and opportunities facing engineers. Episode produced by Steph Fairbairn.
2022-02-25
05 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Michele Nagamine - Fight and Flight
Each coaching role offers its challenges. Some, however, are more challenging than others.Coach Michele Nagamine currently holds one of those more challenging roles. Since December 2010, she has been head coach of the women’s soccer program at the University of Hawaii.They are one of 11 teams in the Big West Conference – the other 10 are all based in California, six hours’ flight away. That means the season is littered with the complexity of air travel, hotels and tailored preparation, on top of the road trips everyone else makes.“We fly over 20,000 miles a season,”...
2022-02-17
36 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Kat Khosrowyar - Tehran turnaround
Katayoun “Kat” Khosrowyar is studying for a Masters degree in global affairs at Rice University in Houston, Texas.The purpose, she tells Women’s Soccer Coaching, is to “put all my skills, abilities and experience under one umbrella”. It would need to be a sizeable umbrella.Growing up in Oklahoma, with Iranian heritage, Kat became an avid soccer player, describing the first time she touched the ball as “love at first sight”.On a family holiday to Iran in 2005, Kat was spotted playing futsal by Shahrzad Mozafar, coach of the country’s national futsa...
2022-02-16
44 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Jonatan Giraldez - How to improve Europe’s best?
2021 saw FC Barcelona Feminí become the first Spanish club to complete a continental treble – winning the Primera Division, Copa de la Reina and, for the first time, the Uefa Champions League.Women's Soccer Coaching sat down for an exclusive interview with manager, Jonatan Giraldez.
2022-02-14
27 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Lisa Fallon - First Among Equals
Growing up in Dublin in the 1980s, Lisa Fallon had one female soccer role model – Gabriella Benson.A woman working in a male-dominated environment, Benson oversaw a professional men’s team – unprecedented at that time.There was one problem. Benson was fictional – the lead character in UK television series The Manageress.It still had an impact on the teenage Fallon, watching back home in Ireland.“It was the first time I ever saw a woman in football,” Fallon told Women’s Soccer Coaching. “It was incredible.”“I don’t know, if I had never s...
2022-02-14
33 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Heather Dyche - UNM
Heather Dyche says the question she gets asked most is: ‘What advice would you give coaches looking to carve their own career path in soccer?’. You need only look at Dyche’s packed Twitter bio to work out why. She is head coach of the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) women’s team, on the technical staff of New Mexico United, a FIFA technical expert, the only female coach on Concacaf’s education board, and founder and head coach of the LEAD Soccer Academy. And In January this year, she was elected to United Soccer Coaches’ board of directo...
2021-10-21
25 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Yolanda Thomas - Tulsa SC
Yolanda Thomas - head coach of Tulsa Soccer Club and director of coaching for its girls program - has spotted a trend that needs addressing. “We all know we need more women coaching,” she notes. “But if we’re going to have more women coaching, inevitably we’re going to end up with more mothers. “If we want these women to keep coaching, how can we support them?” Part of the solution is the Moms Who Coach initiative, a United Soccer Coaches (USC) group set up earlier this year that Thomas co-chairs.
2021-09-09
34 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Denise Schilte-Brown - University of South Florida
As a player, Denise Schilte-Brown set college scoring records on her way to playing professionally in Germany and representing her native Canada. And in almost 25 years as a coach, she has mentored some top strikers, including current Canada breakthrough star Evelyne Viens. It is fair to say Schilte-Brown knows where the net is - and knows how to bring that out in others
2021-08-26
31 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Carmelina Moscato - FC Nordsjælland
Ex-Canada star CARMELINA MOSCATO is back in coaching again after a nomadic post-retirement life. STEPH FAIRBAIRN caught up with her to discuss her philosophy and how coaches can seize control of their career
2021-07-14
30 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Amy Griffin - US Deaf Soccer WNT
As a World-Cup winning goalkeeper, successful youth coach and head coach of the US Deaf Women’s Team, AMY GRIFFIN knows how to get her message across. She explains her methods to STEPH FAIRBAIRN
2021-06-14
30 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Gemma Donnelly - Blackburn Rovers Manager
Gemma Donnelly has been on one hell of a journey. And she knows precisely when it first turned in her favour.It wasn’t in 2019, when the Blackburn Rovers team she leads were finally granted promotion to the FA Women’s Championship – the second tier of English football – after three successive seasons dominating the division below.It wasn’t even in 2014, when her side narrowly avoided relegation to tier four on the final day of the season, and she vowed to staff “we are never going through that again”.Her Blackburn Rovers side were twic...
2021-05-12
34 min
Women's Soccer Coaching
Charlotte Healy - Manchester United Academy Manager
On February 2nd, 2020, Rebecca May’s brief substitute appearance in a Women’s Super League game at Reading made Manchester United history.The 18-year-old’s five-minute cameo saw her become the first player to graduate through United’s entire youth system, from under-10s, to the fledgling first team.It was a proud moment for all who knew the teenager - not least Charlotte Healy, the coach in charge of the club’s academy.Created ‘upside down’, Manchester United had a girls section before there was a women’s first team to graduate into. Academy bo...
2021-04-16
25 min