Coach Kate Rowson has only been here a few days, but has already instilled new belief in the U20 Women's squad as they prepare for the World Cup Qualifiers on July 16, 2013. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Asst Coach, Thomas Albert, put the girls through some shooting practice with Kelienne Smith, the recent recipient of the Lime School League "Golden Boot", looking in good form. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Coach Kate is a no nonsense person, who gives 100% and also expects 100% and so far she has been impressed with the response from the girls. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Jeffrey Demming is also on the coaching staff with responsibilities including the Goal Keeper training. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The Qualifying group that also includes St Kitts, Anguilla and Antigua has the hosts facing an uphill battle to reach the next stage, but Coach Kate, after just a few days in the Territory has already got the squad working hard and is filling them with a new confidence as well as determination to do themselves and the Country proud.

“There’s always going to be things to work on,” she commented, “I think in terms of technique we have to work on a lot, but players at every level should always be working continually on improving technique. What’s really positive is the girls’ attitude, whether it be specific routines, warm ups, tactics or positioning, they have really taken on board. They have embraced what I have asked and want to better themselves. “

The failings of the BVIFA to produce a consistent Women’s programme are well known and once again it appeared that the Girls were going to be thrown to the wolves, but Coach Kate, brings a breath of fresh air to the camp and although faced with a lack of time to work with the girls, is only really concerned with the lack of depth in the squad, primarily caused by the same lack of a development plan and also a lack of urgency in dealing with injury issues and other personnel conflicts.

“The big challenge is the depth of squad, but a nation of this size is always going to struggle, but the FA seem to be working hard on its School and Women’s League Programme and I’m sure over the next few years that should resolve itself,” she said.

As much research as she had done, Rowson admits that her knowledge of the opposition is limited, but she has realistic expectations. “My understanding is that an U20’s team has never got through this sort of a regional competition. Obviously we would all like to win and that’s what we keep in our aims and objectives, but realistically if we can all come off the field, look in the mirror, look each other in the eye and say we are proud of our effort and we followed through on the game tactics, aims and objectives then I will be happy.”

Coach Kate has a wealth of knowledge and experience, carrying in her portfolio hours of coaching with clubs and teams, not only in England, but also the USA. She currently works at a School in the North of England, St. Thomas Moore Catholic College, as a Physical Education Teacher and also the school sport co-coordinator. “I’ve also been lucky to work with a lot of clubs in the USA, both at youth and senior level. Before my job at the school I was also lucky enough to Coach at Manchester Metropolitan University and coached the team there for four years.”

She also coached the British Universities side to 3rd place in the 2009 World University Games in Belgrade, beating France and in 2008 She Coached the English University team to a Home Nations Championship win.

Her qualifications include a EUFA “B” License, a USSF “B” and also a NSCAA Premier Diploma as well as an appointment on the female mentoring scheme “about 3 or 4 times a year a group of us females who are at a similar level of qualification get to work with Brent Hills who is the Assistant Coach of the England Women’s team and the Head Coach of the U23 side.”

Her Coaching philosophy is borne from that long resume “The teams that I have got to work within have tended to be Women and Girls. What I have said to this group is that it’s a learning experience for everything. Football is the vehicle to teach them some life skills, for some, the World Cup qualifiers will be the highest level they play at so you have to give them a really good learning experience to carry forward. In terms of how I like to play the game I love to love play possession football at pace, it’s not always possible because you have the constraints of who you are up against, but that’s what I coach towards, possession football at pace!”

Coach Kate has a no nonsense approach to what she does and always promises 100 % effort from her duration with the squad and hopes that her involvement will leave behind some lasting positives, “one of the aspects that was spoken about before I came out was the specific need for a female Coach. So to have a female role model will be a good thing” she stated “of course it’s up to the Girls if that’s what they want, but most of the Coaches here seem to be Male. I am no nonsense, get to the point type and give 100% and want the same from the girls. Hopefully that will filter through to them and is something they can take forward to the classroom, to work or onto the field in a kind of Pay It Forward Way.”

Coach Kate has already instilled some new levels of skill and discipline into the Girls, who in turn have been responding well to some new ideas and thought processes.

The initiative to bring in Coach Kate is something these players thoroughly deserve as they have been neglected over the years. The Girls have stuck to their love of the game and now will have the opportunity to show their talents with three tough matches on home soil as they set off on every footballer’s dream – to play in the World Cup.

Matches start on July 16, 2013 with Antigua playing St Kitts; the full schedule is listed below.