EOTA : So Alex tell us a bit about yourself & what got you interested in football?
AM : I'm Alex, I'm a 26 year old football coach from Queensbury. I've watched football all my life as a long suffering Bradford City fan! I played all the time with friends through school but didn't play much competitively as a kid, coming more from a rugby background.
AM : I think the main thing I do at Queensbury Celtic is bring focus and attention to the girls side of the game. We've got a 40 year successful history in the boys game, but until the last few years we've only had a handful of girls spread out. Since I've been involved, especially since joining the board a few years ago, I've worked to greatly increase our girls offering whilst setting up a consistent pathway through the club. We have now got 5 teams and are still growing catering for girls as young as 6 right through to open age.
EOTA : I personally got to play against your team & your coaching style in July when you beat us in the final of a charity tournament. How do you feel those types of competitions help with pre-season?
AM : I think the small-sided competitions like the one at Halifax Friendly are a great chance to try new things and have fun in pre-season, while still working to build fitness & prepare for the new season! It was a great day out for both our time, and it is always nice to win something!
EOTA : The new season is now underway for you but the results haven't gone your way just yet, do you think this is just a settling down phase?
AM : It's been a slow start to the season for us for sure. We've got a number of our ex-under 18's stepping up full time this summer as well as a change in the system, and I think it is teething difficulties, as well as competing in a new higher division.
EOTA : What are your overall intentions this season?
AM : I would say the plan is around consolidation and stability. We've got quite a settled quad overall, but there is a need to bed in the new girls and find our place in a very competitive division.
EOTA : Have you noticed any increase in interest since the rise of the Lionesses?
AM : Yeah we have, especially with our younger girls sides! We've got more girls than ever playing at the club and a large number of the newer girls have said that seeing the success of the Lionesses has given them that push to finally give it a go.
EOTA : It is certainly nice to see the club with a women's side as I remember way back when I had to leave the club due to a lack of a girls/women's team. How important do you think it is for the female game to be accessible now?
AM : It's a huge thing, accessibility has been poor on the women and girl's side of the game for years, but the last few years have seen massive steps forward. Our women's league is the biggest it's ever been, and the girl's leagues is the biggest of its kind in the country, which is exactly how it should be.
EOTA : What would you say to anyone local who is on the fence but wants to come join as a player, volunteer or even just coming to spectate?
AM : I'd push them to give it a go! There's more opportunity than ever and that's not just playing. There's lots of great clubs who could always use more supporters, and volunteers are greatly valued across the game.
EOTA : Finally do you have any advice for someone who might be wanting to get into managing at a lower level in the women's game?
AM : My advice would be to get stuck in and give it your all, and be willing to make mistakes! It's easy to play it safe and stay in your comfort zone, but the things I've learnt the most from are when I've tried new environments that weren't for me, but they helped me develop as a coach and person.
EOTA : Where can we find you if we want to following along with your coaching journey & the clubs journey?
AM : You can find us at https://twitter.com/QCWFC https://twitter.com/
It was great to be able to chat to Alex and find out a bit more about my local club and his journey so far, I will definitely be off up to watch a few games if they don't clash with my own as the club is more or less on my doorstep. It is definitely nice to see my local club supporting the women's game as much as they do and all the hard work Alex is putting in to make sure the girls and women's game is developed at Queensbury Celtic.
Good luck to Alex and the Queensbury Celtic women's & girls teams this season.
The interviews are now well and truly back on and as we said earlier we have a fair few already lined up across various levels of the women's football pyramid so keep checking back for those. We are so glad this series is back as it really does give you a great insight into the game from different points of view whether it is as a manager, player or even volunteer.
Who would you like to see us chat to in the future?
No comments