Interview with Girls' Coach Yasmeen Vella

by Ayrton Galea - 16th December 2016

We interviewed Birkirkara FC Youth Academy Girls Under-11's and Under-13's Coach Yasmeen Vella. We spoke with Yasmeen, who is also a Women's Team and National Team Player, about Girls football in Malta and the progress that has made so far, the satisfaction of coaching and the way forward of girls football in Malta.

1. Who is Yameen Vella?

I am 25 years old, and work as a primary level teacher. I see myself as a spontaneous and outgoing person. I like meeting new people. My main interests are sport and education.

2. You have started your Coaching career at a young age. Can you tell us what or who motivated you to start Coaching?

I started coaching because I thought that a club like Birkirkara, alongside with the boys, should have a girl's nursery. With the help of the Academy's head coach, we started the girl's section. The children's improvement in football motivated me to be this field.

3. You are also a Women's Team player with this Club. How does it feel coaching what could be the future players of the team?

I feel that I have a responsibility towards the girls I coach and the Birkirkara club, to push these girls to their full potential so that they will improve in the best manner possible.

4. What is the satisfaction of working with young girls?

Coaching the Birkirkara youth girls is highly satisfying as I can see their improvement through out. Being the first coach of the majority of the players I started coaching them the very basics of football, thus after some time you will be able to see the difference from they have started football to where they have reached.

5. What do you think are your strengths as a coach?

I believe that the players should be disciplined, thus I try to maintain discipline within both the U11 and U13 teams. Moreover, I think that I am always ready to learn new things about football coaching and trying to use them at the girls' benefit.

6. Who are your role models in coaching and why?

One of my role models in coaching is former Maltese National Women's Team Coach Pierre Brincat, because apart from the fact that I like his training sessions as a player, I also admire the fact that he is constantly working to improve women's football in Malta.

7. How do you plan on improving as a coach from year to year?

As I previously mentioned I like to enquire on how I can improve myself as a coach and try to apply what I learn in my sessions. I also attend courses and CPDs offered by the MFA.

8. Besides a Women's Team player and a Coach with the Academy, you are also a National Team player. Do you find it difficult to balance between your personal time and your football / coaching career?

I must say that being both a player and a coach can be quiet challenging at times as it takes a lot of my time after work. It requires a lot of dedication and passion towards the sport for one to be successful.

9. What is your opinion on the Birkirkara FC Youth Academy?

I believe that Birkirkara FC Youth Academy is a growing academy with many dedicated coaches who work in bringing the best out of their team and children.

10. What is your opinion on Girls football? Do you agree that it's growing?

With the help of many people from the girl's football sector, female football has highly improved. A lot of promotion has been given to girl's football and this helped to motivate and encourage girls to start playing football from a young age at grassroots level.

11. What set backs or difficulties do you find in Girls football?

At times one may encounter people who are still close minded and believe that women are not capable of playing football. Some people may also look down on football when girls are on the pitch. Moreover, I believe that female football should be financed better and given more importance in certain clubs and nurseries locally.

12. Do you think that the Academy give the desire importance to Girls football?

As previously mentioned, the Birkirkara FC Youth Academy helped me start the girls section and it is with their help that girls have been attending our academy. Even though we have improved, I believe that like everything, there is room for improvement.

13. Have you had any memorable moments whilst in your current position as a coach?

Seeing the smile on my player's faces when the team takes part in tournaments and matches is something I like to experience as a coach. Their motivation and interest in playing football with the club's emblem on their shirt is something which makes me proud.

14. What should be done in your opinion to help girls' football?

Even though girl's football has been given importance there are still things which need to be improved. More promotion in schools should be done and all clubs should invest in qualified coaches to coach girls.

15. What would you tell a girl who is thinking about starting football?

I would encourage her to start playing football because apart from the fact that it's fun playing football, it is a team sport where a group works together and will eventually turn into a family.

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