CLUB NEWS
Inspiring the next generation of coaches and referees at Rugby Borough Women & Girls FC
1st September 2025
On Friday 29th August, Rugby Borough Women & Girls FC became the launchpad for the next wave of female leaders in football. Twelve of our club’s 13–17-year-old players stepped onto the Kilsby Lane pitches not just to train, but to experience what it feels like to coach, to lead, and even to referee.
The day was led by two incredible role models: former WSL, Birmingham City, Spurs and England Lioness star Kerys Harrop, alongside Madi Highfield, Professional Coach at Aston Villa Women. Between them, they brought world-class experience and down-to-earth coaching, giving our girls a rare opportunity to learn from the very best.
"Hearing Kerys talk about her career made me realise there are so many different jobs in football. It’s not just playing, you can make a difference in loads of ways."
A day of action, not just talk
This wasn’t a sit-and-listen type of workshop. From the first whistle, our girls were hands-on:
- Learning and practising real coaching techniques
- Taking turns at refereeing drills
- Building leadership skills on and off the pitch
Kerys and Madi made sure every activity was practical, engaging, and confidence-boosting. By lunchtime, the players weren’t just participants, they were leaders in action.
Qualifications and real-world experience
Each participant will ultimately come away with two accredited awards:
- Junior Football Leaders Award (CIMSPA/FA CPD)
- FA Play Maker Award (FA Education) to be completed independently by the girls
But more importantly, the programme didn’t end at 3.30pm. Every girl now has the chance to put her learning into practice by delivering a minimum of 10 hours of coaching and support within our club – from Wildcats sessions to team training and mini-soccer refereeing. It means the experience on the day flows straight into real work experience within Rugby Borough Women & Girls FC.
"I never thought I’d actually enjoy refereeing, but trying it out today gave me loads more confidence. Now I can actually see it as something I might do in the future."
Why this matters
Football isn’t just about the players on the pitch. The sport thrives because of its coaches, referees, and leaders. By giving our young members the tools, experience, and confidence to explore these pathways, we’re building something bigger than one great day. We’re building the next generation of women who can shape the future of the game – whether that’s on the touchline, with the whistle, or in leadership roles.
A huge thank you!
A massive thank you goes to Kerys Harrop and Madi Highfield for inspiring and mentoring our young members. And of course, thank you to the girls for taking part with such brilliant attitudes to learning and gaining new skills.
The question we asked at the start of the day was: Could you be the next Sarina Wiegman? After what we saw on Friday, the answer is a resounding absolutely yes.
