Kelsey Leverton’s journey into coaching began five and a half years ago, and since then, she has dedicated herself to inspiring young footballers at Kibworth Town.

How did you get started in coaching?

I've been coaching for about five and a half years now. It my girls that got me interested—when their interest in football grew and they were fed up with the boys not passing to them at school, they wanted to try something new. Kibworth Town had started a Wildcats programme, and after watching them play, I thought, “Why am I standing on the sidelines?” With my career in exercise and sport, it felt natural to jump in and help out on the pitch.

What’s been your experience like as a female coach?

I feel quite lucky in that sense. I haven’t experienced some of the challenges that other female coaches talk about. Kibworth Town has been incredibly supportive from the start. They’ve been open to every idea, every brainwave I’ve had, and they’ve given me a platform to grow as a coach. I started as an assistant and was then asked to take a futsal team, even though I didn’t know much about it! But it all worked out, and now my youngest team, the under-10s, has grown into the under-15s I coach today.

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Kibworth Town Girls U15

What is the core philosophy you bring to coaching?

My main ethos is that it’s okay to make mistakes. I actively encourage my players to look at their mistakes as opportunities to learn. Whether it’s a bad touch or a pass that didn’t quite go right, I want them to focus on what comes next instead of dwelling on what could have been. I also focus a lot on giving girls the chance to keep playing for as long as possible. This is especially important for my under-15s, as they’re at an age where many girls drop out of sport. The fact that we have more players this year than last year is something I’m really proud of!

What’s the most rewarding part of coaching for you?

It’s seeing the players enjoy the sport. Whether it’s organizing a trip to watch a Leicester City Women’s game or taking the team to Sheffield to see an England match, it’s all about offering them experiences they might not have had otherwise. I love seeing them excited and involved. Building up the club from the bottom, with the youngest girls coming through and joining our summer sessions, that’s what I enjoy the most. It's amazing to see how much the club has grown, especially the girls’ side over the past few years.

What are some of the challenges you face in coaching girls' football?

One of the biggest challenges is keeping the numbers up, especially in age groups where girls tend to drop out of sport. With the boys’ teams, we can rely on coaches volunteering to take the younger teams, but with the girls, that responsibility falls on me. I work hard to recruit and support coaches from the parent group, which is a big part of growing the girls’ teams. Our girls’ side has expanded a lot, and it’s really great to see.

What makes you proud of your players?

I love seeing those little moments—the great touch on the ball, the perfect pass leading to a goal, or watching someone score after working so hard. We’re not a high-scoring team, but those small victories matter so much. And the other thing I’m proud of is the recognition I’ve received over the past year. I was named Disability Champion at the Harborough Active Awards, and the club also gave me an award for Coach of the Year, which was really humbling.

What’s your message to women in sport?

It’s really important to recognise women in sport every day, not just on International Women’s Day. We can hold our own, and there’s a strong group of young women coming through who deserve to be recognised and supported. I see so much potential in these girls, and I’m excited to see them continue to grow, not just in football, but in everything they do.

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