Coaches Corner | Sarah Ferris

Sarah is coach of the U12 Girls team

How did you get into coaching football?
I’ve always been keen to get into coaching and to be involved in the development of the Women’s game. So when the opportunity for the Under 12 Girls’ team came up, I jumped at the chance.

What has the focus for your team been during the first few weeks of the season?
This is the girls first season playing 11 aside, so the most important focus for us is finding the girls ideal positions and getting them to understand their roles and developing them in these positions. Using the space of the bigger pitch is also a big focus, and of course playing beautiful football.

How many seasons have you been with the club?
This is my 4th season playing for Dunbar Rovers Women’s Championship team and my first season coaching the juniors.

What excites you the most about Season 2015?
Being able to see the girls I coach develop individually and as a team, and also seeing myself develop as a coach. In regards to playing, I’m excited about challenging for the title again and hopefully going on and winning Champions of Champions.

What do you or would you want your players to say about you?
I hope I inspire the girls and give them someone to look up too, however, I’m sure they just think I’m pretty crazy!

Any standout coaches in your life who helped shape you?
I’ve had a few coaches in my time and they have all affected me in some way. One of the best coaches I had was when I played at Charlton Athletic. Keith was inspirational in the way he coached and made every player believe in themselves. Only when playing for the last couple of teams have I fully appreciated what a coach does for the team and the thought process that goes into it. My current coach David ‘Mini’ Buck is a strategic coach – he thinks a lot about formations against different teams, playing to our strengths and protecting our weaknesses. This certainly got me as a player to develop my way of thinking and to look at the bigger picture. Overall he’s had a significant impact on my improvement both as a player and now a coach.