Helen Munday

Community coach

Many mums across the UK have already made the successful move into volunteer coaching. Helen Munday from Wimborne in Dorset shares her story...

“Coaching at this level is all about understanding how each child responds to different methods. Having three children of my own means that I can adapt to different personalities and bring out the best in the children I coach.

As a mum, I find that the right approach is not to drive perfection into the training, but to inject a sense of fun, enthusiasm and team spirit. I want the children to enjoy themselves whilst keeping fit and trying to win games.

Coaching is also a great way to get out and have fun with your kids – I’d encourage every mum to do it!”

Mum's on the ball

Helen, 42, volunteers as a community coach in her local school where she organises after-school football sessions for boys and girls. She has also managed Rossgarth Boys Youth Football Club for three seasons, winning the league with her first effort.

Helen originally got involved with coaching because there was no one to run her son’s team in Rossgarth. She decided there was no reason why she shouldn’t do it so gained her Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football through McDonald’s® community coaching programme.

She has since gained her Level 2 Certificate and now runs after-school football classes for an hour every day of the week.