Football Made Me Series
To All Men Coaches Working With Women’s & Girls’ Teams
Whether you are coaching at the grassroots, academy, community, county, national, or top-tier level, coaching women and girls comes with a great responsibility.
Football is more than tactics, formations and results. A coach has authority, influence and access to players, and that position must be handled with professionalism, integrity and respect.
When working with women’s or girls’ teams, professional boundaries are not optional they are part of good coaching. The environment you create can determine whether a player feels safe, respected, confident and willing to continue playing the game.
Here are my Top 10 “BEWARE” points for male coaches working with women and girls:
1. Avoid unnecessary physical contact
Avoid unnecessary hugs, touching or other forms of physical contact, even when celebrating a good performance.
There are many professional ways to appreciate and congratulate a player. A simple handshake, high-five, encouraging words or recognition of their performance can communicate the same message while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
2. Avoid vulgar or inappropriate language
The language used by a coach matters.
Avoid vulgar, sexually suggestive, humiliating or inappropriate language. Players deserve to be corrected and challenged without being degraded or embarrassed.
Discipline does not require disrespect.
3. Keep off-duty interactions professional
Avoid unnecessary private or informal meet-ups with players outside football activities.
If there is a legitimate reason to meet, maintain professional boundaries and, where appropriate, involve another member of the technical team or ensure the meeting takes place in an acceptable public or official setting.
The goal is not to create unnecessary distance, but to create healthy boundaries.
4. Build a balanced technical team
If you are the head coach of a women's or girls' team, consider having a qualified female assistant coach or another trusted female member of the technical/support team.
A diverse technical team can provide additional perspectives and gives players another professional person they can approach when they have concerns or need support.
5. When working with under-18s, involve parents and guardians
When coaching girls below the age of 18, parents or guardians should be aware of the programme, training arrangements, competitions and other activities involving their children.
Also, avoid inviting under-18 players to your home for football-related matters. Training, meetings, discussions and other football activities should take place at the field, club facilities or another appropriate public/official space.
Safeguarding starts with transparency.
6. Be patient and understand the player's circumstances
Coaching a women's or girls' team requires patience, tolerance, encouragement and strong motivation.
Not every player develops at the same pace. Some players may also have responsibilities at home, school or work that affect their availability and development.
A good coach understands the player as a person while still maintaining standards and accountability.
7. Be a mentor and role model
You cannot demand discipline, respect and professionalism from players while behaving differently yourself.
Players observe how coaches communicate, handle conflict, treat officials, speak about other people and conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.
Your behaviour is part of your coaching.
If you want players to respect the game, respect others and carry themselves professionally, demonstrate those values yourself.
8. Be careful about who you allow around the team
Do not allow just anyone to train, interact with or have unsupervised access to girls especially players under 18.
Before bringing someone into the technical or support environment, consider their qualifications, experience, conduct, character, safeguarding awareness and suitability for working with young people.
Being called a “coach” does not automatically make someone suitable to coach children.
Safeguarding should come before convenience.
9. Treat every player fairly and consistently
Apply the same professional standards to all players.
Avoid favouritism, preferential treatment or relationships that could create a perception of bias. Players should understand that selection, playing time, discipline and opportunities are based on clear footballing and team principles.
Perceived favouritism can damage trust within a team and create unnecessary conflict.
Fairness builds trust.
10. Never gossip about players
Do not discuss a player's personal issues, weaknesses or mistakes behind their back with other players or members of the technical team unnecessarily.
If there is a genuine performance or welfare concern, address it through the appropriate professional channels.
A coach should be able to correct a player without humiliating them and discuss a concern without turning it into gossip.
Confidentiality and professionalism go hand in hand.
Semi Za Maja
Football Made Me Series
Wilson Masaka
