Coach Cairdy

2025/26 - North Curry GU12s

We knew we’d be up against it moving into competitive football with a committed yet minimal squad of girls this season. What happened next was nothing short of remarkable:

At least 73 goals scored, only 14 conceded. Losing only 3 times (across all competitions, twice in regular time) gave us minimal opportunities to develop our resilience here - we went 13 games unbeaten, drawing three. But we stood tall.

Going unbeaten all season until the final game against great local opposition to come runners up on the final day was a tough one to take however a key learning opportunity for me as a coach to focus my players on the bounce-back and to keep heads held high, while remaining humble in defeat.

Football is more than just a game and I’ll continue to have the honour of guiding these young girls as they learn to navigate their emotions, aspirations and friendships on and off the pitch. They might get ever better at the football too.

I strive to create positive environments that players want to be a part of rain or shine. The results will always follow (and are a complete bonus). I’m energised by the support around me to teach great football, and by how no-one shies away from picking up players who aren’t as confident or naturally gifted. That’s where the true impact is made and why the work we do in yellow and green has seen our girls provision represent 1% of our entire county’s female provision in only 3 years. A huge legacy is already being built thanks to Grant Caldecott.

Our long term focus is on senior ladies football for this incredible cohort of girls and volunteers. History is still yet to be made, but I’m happy to wait a little bit longer.

So proud of my girls and I can’t wait to pick up where we left off after a well deserved break North Curry FC ⚽️ 💚💛

MY GOLDEN CIRCLE TO BEGIN 2025/26.

I have definitely blurred some of the HOWs and WHATs but the clearest bit of my reflection is my WHY.

It gets me out of bed every morning with the energy to go out and make things happen.

STRIDE SUMMER 2025!

Didn’t really know what to expect from joining a social run club this summer but blew any expectations I may have had out of the water!

Despite having a few Sundays away finalising my football season, every spare Sunday has been spent in great company and just getting up and at it to start the day off on the right foot (literally)!

With my first running event on the horizon, might be time to step it up a notch as I get back to coaching football properly as September is upon us!

A massive thank you to and the entire team for being so welcoming and motivating on every single run! Stride is definitely the place to be 🤩🥳❤️

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EMBRACE AND EMPOWER

Football is more than just a game - it’s an opportunity for so many people to find safety, value and a sense of achievement all in one place - and it looks so different wherever you go.

The crazy part is that the feelings we all experience are exactly the same. Football connects us. It brings people together. It quite literally gets the ball rolling.

I’m excited to share with you my experiences and journey as I hold my head up high and walk through the next door of opportunity. This past season has been my biggest challenge so far for so many reasons and yet it has rewarded me ten times over.

Let’s get to work! ⚽️🥳

FA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2025

This was an opportunity I never saw coming as a FALA participant in 2022, my time as an FA National Youth Councillor comes to an end concluding my 2024/25 season.

The “FALA Feeling” cannot be explained, only experienced.

As a member of the delivery team, months of planning was squeezed into 6 days of ex*****on and delivery surrounded by some of the most caring, charismatic and creative minds I’ve ever had the pleasure of connecting with; not just in football. a special mention to , , and .scott73. It has been brilliant working with you as part of the Community Engagement team.

To showcase my own legacy as a youth leader to the next generation, both as an opening ceremony host alongside .manna.music and Kelly Simmons OBE (fresh from witnessing another Lionesses victory) and turning thought into action alongside Steph Powell within our “Planning for Success” workshop.

I’m grateful to relive an elevated version of my participant experience again and do it alongside the incredible , wider delivery team and mentors, is an opportunity I will cherish very much and stay with me for a lifetime. Those who I spent particular time with within the Pink and Black teams, I enjoyed having a chance to share my story to a greater extent.

To enable others to feel like they can drive positive change in their own communities by sharing my own experiences, really feels like a full circle moment for me and I can’t wait to see where the cohort go next with their projects. Football to me has always been more than just a game. My legacy continues to grow far beyond what I ever thought was possible and it happens way before anyone steps onto a pitch.

There have been times where I been reluctant to celebrate my light however I’m reminded that “as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to celebrate myself and shine my light. and Katana you played a monumental part in this happening for us all.

I look forward starting my next opportunity.