Central Football are excited to announce that two of our Community Development Officer’s have been selected for the 2021 Female Coach Mentorship Programme. Aleesha Heywood (Hawke’s Bay) and Kate Bennett (Manawatu) have taken two of only nine spots available for up and coming coaches from around the country.

The two CF staff with the other seven selected participants will be mentored by Natalie Lawrence, Gemma Lewis, and Maia Vink.  These are three of New Zealand’s top female coaching talents, with extensive domestic and international experience. 

Hawkes Bay Community Development Officer Aleesha Heywood has worked at Central Football for 6 years being heavily involved in coaching and development in the region.  Heywood has had success in both football and futsal as a coach. Her career highlights include Head Coach of the U14 girls team who won their age group at NAGT in 2018 and coaching the Central Federation U16 girls futsal team who were crowned champs at the 2019 Youth Nationals. 

 “I am excited at what the future holds with this mentorship programme and what I can learn and develop from our top 3 female coaches in New Zealand and then bring this knowledge back to the community in Hawke’s Bay.”

I enjoy coaching, as it is such a rewarding experience. Seeing the smiles on kids’ faces is priceless, or when your teaching can help your players to solve their football problems and improve their overall game is very motivating for a coach. 

Kate Bennett (Manawatu Community Development Officer) has been involved in coaching in the Manawatu region since she was 15.

Bennett has been a big part of the Central Women's Premiership team in the last few campaigns firstly as a player and then making the shift to Assistant Coach for the last two seasons under the guidance of Head Coach Barry Scullion.

“I’m excited and extremely grateful to have been chosen to participate in the coaching 2021 mentorship programme. The opportunity to learn from some of the top female football coaches in the country in Maia, Nat and Gemma will be invaluable in my own coaching journey. I would like to thank NZF and Central football for their continued support”

Central Football Community Development Manager – Leon Birnie was excited by what the opportunity meant for the pair personally and the knowledge that can be passed on to the Central Federation community.

“Firstly it’s great recognition of the ability and effort that Kate and Aleesha have put into the game. The two have worked really hard and achieved a lot in our community space as well as our talent pathways. The information and resources that will be made available to them via this program can only be good for our federation. It will empower them with more knowledge to deliver to clubs, coaches and players within Central Football.”

Congratulations to both Kate and Aleesha and we look forward to following you both on your coaching journeys.

For more about the 2021 Female Coach Mentorship Programme, see here.

Aleesha Heywood

Community Development Officer at Central Football, and coaches in both football and futsal. Currently coaching with Central Football and Taradale AFC. Currently holds OFC/NZF C License and is a candidate for OFC/NZF B-License. Based in Napier.

Kate Bennett

Community development officer at Central Football, with responsibilities for overseeing the operation of Federation Talent Centres in the Manawatu to develop players and coaches. An assistant coach for Central Football in the 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership, and coaches at Feilding High School. Currently holds OFC/NZF C-License License and is a candidate for OFC/NZF B-License. Based in Palmerston North.

Article added: Tuesday 23 February 2021