449: Sharon Muxworthy - How to get more Female Coaches in Football?

How to Get More Women Coaching in Football with FA EDI Lead Sharon Muxworthy This week's podcast special guest is Sharon Muxworthy, Educational Inequality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead for the Female Game at The FA and Head Coach of the University of Brighton Women's First Team. A former PE teacher turned coach, coach developer, and national EDI lead, Sharon has spent over a decade at The FA designing and delivering programmes that open doors for more women – and more diverse voices – in coaching. From grassroots to the top of the women's game, she focuses on inclusion, confidence, and building a sustainable, diverse coaching workforce. In this conversation, Sharon shares her journey from playing street football in 1970s Wales to leading national coach development, and breaks down what it really takes to create environments where women can thrive as coaches. What You'll Discover: Sharon's journey into football and coaching From playing in the street and being excluded from school teams, to rediscovering football at university, teaching PE, and coaching at academy and university level. Teaching as the foundation for great coaching How classroom skills—questioning, communication, and assessment for learning—shaped her approach to coaching and coach development. Creating inclusive environments that keep girls in sport Practical examples of welcoming girls into teams, making sport fun, and why belonging and joy must come before performance. Trust, challenge, resilience and team values Why challenge only works when trust is in place, how sport naturally teaches resilience, and how clear "above the line" behaviours guide team culture. Her current FA role and key programmes What Sharon does as EDI Lead for the female game: growing a more diverse coaching workforce through club placements, mentee development, and targeted support. Digital learning and accessibility for new coaches How courses like EE Playmaker and Introduction to Coaching Football lower barriers, especially for women who might not feel ready to walk into a course in person. Practical advice for aspiring women's football coaches The importance of knowing your why, volunteering to gain experience, being your authentic self, and surrounding yourself with mentors and supportive   Connect with Sharon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-muxworthy-06b26b44/ FA Website: https://www.thefa.com/womens-girls-football The Powerhouse Project Website: https://www.thepowerhouseproject.co.uk/