David GOMBE
The new initiative that will empower the next generation of female coaches is underway with the third edition of FIFA’s Elite Performance: Coach Mentorship Programme commencing in Zurich, Switzerland.
The 18-month programme matches highly experienced coaches with those closer to the start of their coaching journey.
FIFA’s creative and innovative approach has already seen dozens of coaches kick-start their careers thanks to the knowledge they have collected on the journey during the past two editions of the programme.
This edition will see 20 women from across the globe mentored by 20 of the game’s most accomplished coaches.
The mentors include current national team coaches Arthur Elias (Brazil), Desiree Ellis (South Africa), Francisco Neto (Portugal), Joe Montemurro (Australia), Nils Nielsen (Japan) and Angelo Marsiglia (Colombia) as well as names synonymous with the FIFA Women’s World Cup, such as Tina Theune (Germany), Even Pellerud (Norway) and Corinne Diacre (France).
In addition to providing talented coaches with world-class mentors, the programme also aims to help female coaches achieve greater results in their current positions, offer coaching guidance and support on career development, and create a global community of female coaches. Included in the programme are three in-person workshops, online mentoring sessions and up to five exchange visits between mentor and mentee.
One well-known former player seeking to cement a graduation from pitch to dugout is long-serving Germany midfielder Melanie Behringer. The FIFA Women’s World Cup-winner and Olympic gold medallist, who is now coaching the Germany U-17 women’s national team, was paired with the highly-respected Pellerud.
“I wish I had this [before],” Pellerud said. “I [made] a lot of mistakes as a young coach – over-confident and stupid. And if I’d had a mentor [during that] time, which was not normal some years ago, I would have avoided a lot of big errors that I [made] in my career.”
Behringer added: “I am still a young coach and I think I have a lot of weaknesses. This month, we spoke about one weakness and I think it’s good to even talk about my weaknesses. I think he can help me because [he has] great experience. And I think that I [will be] a better coach in 18 months’ (time).”
Kenya’s Mildred Cheche one of the Mentees is also privileged to be part of the initiative
“Privileged to be selected and be part of the FIFA Elite Performance Coach Mentorship Program in Zurich, Switzerland that plays a crucial role in the development of coaches. Thank you to FIFA and Football Kenya Federation for supporting the growth of upcoming women coaches.”
List of formed pairs of Mentors and Mentees
•Tracey Kevins (USA)
•Alana Gunn (NZL)
•Tina Theune (GER)
•Manuela Tesse (MLT)
•Corinne Diacre (FRA)
•Lauren Smith (ENG)
•Asako Takemoto (JPN)
•Carrie Kveton (USA)
•Mo Marley (ENG)
•Najd Almejaish (KSA)
•Even Pellerud (NOR)
•Melanie Behringer (GER)
•Nils Nielsen (DEN)
•Faye Chambers (AUS)
•Joe Montemurro (AUS)
•Katie Collar (CAN)
•Simone Jatoba (BRA)
•Delphine Soret (TAH)
•Laura Harvey (USA)
•Gail Redmond (NIR)
•Vicky Linton (AUS)
•Chris Yip-Au (SEY)
•Arthur Elias (BRA)
•Vanessa Martinez (MEX)
•Iraia Iturregi (ESP)
•Emily Lima (PER)
•Desiree Ellis (RSA)
•Mildred Omari Cheche (KEN)
•Francisco Neto (POR)
•Camilla Orlando (BRA)
•Shilene Booysen (RSA)
•Selamawit Zebede (LBR)
•Ángelo Marsiglia (COL)
•Ana Patricia Aguilar Córdoba (CRC)
•Pedro Martinez Losa (Spain)
•Nazlı Ceylan Demirbağ (Turkey)
•Vlakto Andonovski (USA)
Helenna •Hercigonja-Moulton (Croatia)
•Jonas Eidval (Sweden)
