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We are the U14s Girls coaching team at Fosse Falcons. Fosse Falcons is a formal cluster of girls clubs. Out coaching set up is formed of: Sarah, Kieron, and Brett who coach across the whole squad and Liz who handles welfare, logistics, and safeguarding contacts.
We wanted to kick off the 2026-2027 season by putting the squad in the driving seat. Instead of coaches dictating, the girls and parents contributed directly to goals, playing style, and team culture.
We asked the players questions about:
Playing style and aims: attack shape, running lines, defensive line speed, season targets.
Game situations: handling errors, reacting to ref calls, avoiding pre-match slump, resetting under pressure.
We also wanted input from the parents about the match-day environment feedback and individual player targets.
As coaches we had chats before the day so we could be aligned on the agenda and purpose. Liz prepared welfare/logistics. We set up flipcharts and prompts about mindset, match scenarios, and unit play.
We structured the day into different sections:
Welcome (5 mins): Ground rules.
Unit Identity & Aims (20 mins): Forwards/backs flipchart work and presentations.
Housekeeping & Safeguarding (10 mins): Liz covering logistics and welfare.
Breakouts (10 mins): Girls in mixed groups; parents discussing match-day culture.
Squad Wrap-Up (5 mins): Agreeing standout themes.
Individual Focus (10 mins): Players writing personal aims.
In Unit Identity & Aims, forwards and backs mapped out attack, defence, and success criteria on flipcharts, then presented it back to the group. In the breakout section, mixed groups worked through scenarios: pre-game focus, walking off proud, handling mistakes/ref decisions, training habits. In the final sections, players noted individual aims and improvement areas.
We wanted to create squad buy-in and accountability. This included shared standards, mutual support, and pride in the team.
The day also contains some welfare and logistical information, which meant each parent and player was present for that content.
The players were vocal, honest, and committed to higher intensity, better communication, and a no-blame culture.
Breakout groups
In the breakout section, each group had a specific focus to discuss:
There were 4 groups each containing 4-5 players and 1 parent group
● Group 1 (Players) – The Pre-Game Trap: Why do some teams look beaten before kickoff? What are they thinking? How do we make sure that never happens to us?
● Group 2 (Players) – The Exit Test: How do WE want to feel walking off the pitch after 60 minutes? How do we want supporters to feel watching us?
● Group 3 (Players) – Dealing with Mistakes & Pressure: When an error happens or a referee call goes against us, what does our reaction look like? What do we say (and not say) to reset quickly?
● Group 4 (Players) – Training Standards & Accountability: What does a 100% effort training session look and feel like? What habits do we commit to so matches become second nature?
● Group 5 (Parents) – Pride & Match-Day Experience: When the final whistle blows, how do you want to feel as parents watching? Aside from match results, what creates a truly successful season environment for your daughter
Individual goals
At the end of the session players were welcome to stay behind to set some individual goals. These were written on A4 cards and handed to coaches. The players had prompts to help them think about their goals:
● Areas to Improve: 2–3 specific skills, fitness areas, or game awareness points to work on.
● Positional Versatility: 2–3 positions I can or want to play (supporting squad rotation and depth).
● Attitude Commitment: 1 personal attitude commitment I make to my teammates every week.
Targets
As coaches we hope this will create shared language for attack/defence, agreed reset strategies, and full parent backing for positivity and competitiveness.
Some of the targets include:
Attack: Run onto the ball at pace, quick taps from penalties, solid pods.
Defence: Flat line speed, choke space, confident tackles.
Culture: Non-stop communication, respect (thanking the ref), zero-blame, mentorship, 100% effort, serious fun.
Did you know there’s now coach memberships? There’s 3 tiers for coaches (or anyone who wants to support the work and wants support), there’s also a special tier for clubs and W&Gs sections. There’s a coaching hotline, access to webinar recordings, and monthly mentoring. Memberships start from £5 a month.