A US Soccer coach educator on the rise of women in coaching

SS: What was your favorite memory with Saint Kitts and Nevis?

JB: Hands down, the Concacaf qualifiers to get to World Cup qualifying. We beat Trinidad and Tobago in their stadium in September 2019.

This was the first time ever that Saint Kitts and Nevis had beaten Trinidad and Tobago on the women’s side. 

It was such a big deal for the players and the countries are big rivals in football. That is something I will never forget.

SS: What was the first coaching course you attended?

JB: It was the Georgia Soccer F license and I still have the book. It was January in Georgia and freezing! 
We learned about coaching how to do sole roles and shielding, breaking down the technique behind these skills.

SS: Outside of the obvious progression of the content being taught, how have you seen coaching education progress and develop over the last five or 10 years? How is coaching education more accessible to coaches now than it was 10 years ago?

JB: It really is an exciting time in coaching education. The growth of support for education and the formal pathway has been phenomenal.

That means inviting in innovative modes of learning such as online, virtual, blended and in-person formats. It has been a paradigm shift for how coaching education is experienced and delivered. 

I envision the next five to 10 years will see even greater updates to make education more accessible at all levels of the pathway, from grassroots to pro.

We will also see more international connections with federations and leaders across Concacaf and the world.

This is going to make US Soccer even stronger in this space, especially leading into this summer’s Women’s World Cup, the 2026 men’s World Cup and hopefully with us hosting the Women’s World Cup in the next 10 years.

SS: How have you seen the number of women coaching grow in the last five to 10 years? What would you attribute this growth to?

JB: Representation and leaders within US Soccer, both on staff and the board, prioritizing women’s roles in the game.

I haven’t had to sit in any meetings in this role and argue about what more we need to be doing for women who coach. Instead, it’s: "What do you need?", "How can we support this?" and "We are behind this initiative."

When you have that kind of support it brings in scholarship support, educational opportunities, mentoring and community. 

"We’re here to make an impact on a local and national level - there is no question...."

Karla Thompson worked tirelessly to create a solid SheChampions program when she was with US Soccer – she is now at the San Diego Wave – and it is thanks to her and other women who have been pushing for so long that we are seeing progress.

This is a movement; we are here to make an impact on a local and national level. There is no question.

SS: How can we see this growth and support of these initiatives within local communities and at the grassroots? How can clubs, schools and directors support their newer and beginner female coaches?

JB: We know women have unique barriers to choosing, and remaining in, coaching. They have financial, time, family and other issues that must be considered in policies, programs and support.

One thing I would love to see more directors do is partner women who are novice coaches with experienced women.

Sometimes, when you are asked to coach, it is daunting to think that you have to go it alone. If there is someone who can assist, alternate practice sessions, activities or coaching games, all of a sudden, saying yes to being the coach isn’t as scary!

SS: Why is coach education and continuing education so important for coaches?

JB: Coaching education is critical. Let’s think about it this way: whenever we learn something new – a skill, a hobby or information – if we aren’t open to continuously learning from that knowledge and to new ways of thinking or updates in approach and technology, then we will always be the same.

That could serve us well in the short term, but, ultimately, doesn’t allow us to become the best version of ourselves. That is the case for anything we do.

My role is focused on growing and expanding education. Modern soccer coaches at all levels require a complex set of skills and knowledge and, even though I had exceptional role models, the game has evolved and information about player safety, periodization, game understanding and leadership is always evolving and changing, even from what I have learned.

Coaching education is a choice. But, ultimately, it is about learning new ways of doing things that will make a coach the best they can be at that moment, with those players, to help them achieve their dreams. 

Coaching education, and the more we can take advantage of professional development opportunities, just opens up more possibilities.

It helps us and our players get the most out of their experience with the game.

SS: What advice would you give to a young, female coach starting on her coaching journey? What coaching courses would you recommend she start with and why?

JB: Know yourself. Know what makes you motivated, what makes you present, what makes you engaged.

Ultimately, determine your strengths and assets, and what makes you ‘you’, and then bring that to your environment each and every day. 

Always lead with your strengths and work on areas of improvement, but authentically showing up and bringing what you can contribute to whatever situation, meeting or session that you are in is the key.

People want to be around others who are honest and vulnerable. They can see through those who are trying to be something they simply are not.

I am a bit biased here: the US Soccer C License is the best course! But you have to complete some prerequisites to attend the C – the Grassroots and D are wonderful. In fact, my favorite is probably the Grassroots 4v4 License - but don’t tell anyone!

SS: What advice would you give to any coach interested in getting more involved with coaching education? How could coaches influence their clubs or schools to invest in coaching education?

JB: I am excited about the SheChampions Community that we are building and having a network of female coaches around the country who are supported.

One of the things we need more of is women in leadership positions and being a coach educator is a great role to consider. 

We have goals to increase diversity of our educator pool at US Soccer because we know that representation matters. 

I hope someone will be reading this and think, "I could teach others about how to coach the game." Great, we need you!

Contact me on my email address and let’s make a plan for you.