BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE: Inspiring future Lionesses

A Football Coaching student at the University of Wolverhampton is leading the way to inspire more females to score a career in sport.

Georgia Butler, who is approaching her final year studying Football Coaching and Performance at the School of Sport at the University’s Walsall Campus, coaches male and female football alongside her studies.

With her dad being a passionate Blues supporter, Georgia has grown up supporting Birmingham City FC and always had a keen interest in football.

From playing in boys’ teams at the age of seven to coaching male football teams, Georgia found there to be a lack of opportunities in her local community to encourage girls to play the sport.

“Sport has always had a huge impact - both mentally and physically. Whether I’m playing, coaching, or seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces – it takes me to another level that I can’t quite explain.”

Following the many connections she has made since joining the University, Georgia set up female-only sessions at her local football club, Goals to provide girls with the opportunity to play football.

Georgia said: “To be honest, I was very hit and miss about going to uni. I’m not very academic and I like being out and interacting with others.

“Then I saw that the lecturers are very big on students going out there and getting experience. At Wolverhampton, we’re all on work placements alongside our academic studies and the amount of experience and extra knowledge you gain is invaluable.

“Since starting University, the lecturers have opened a lot of doors for me – the connections they have and the opportunities on offer are like no other.

“Some people think coaching is just kicking a ball around - it’s much more than that. You learn about coaching philosophy and how to engage and interact with young people. You’re not just a coach, you’re a mentor and it’s vital you build those relationships and know how to make learning fun.”

Georgia states that even though she’s had a lot of support throughout her football journey, she’s also battled with the stigma around women not being able to play football and often gets mistaken for a physio while she’s coaching.

Georgia said: “The amount of girls that tell me they’ve been told they’re not allowed to play football still stuns me. I coach both males and females and I teach them that the game is for everyone.

“Hopefully, with the success of the Lionesses, that stigma will fade, and it won’t just be seen as a male sport.

“Seeing the women’s England team win is what I, the nation, and every woman in sport needed. They’ve inspired me to continue doing what I’m doing and certainly inspired the girls I coach to become future Lionesses.”

Georgia has successfully landed a role with Birmingham City Community Trust and will be heading into the new season as their Football Development Officer, running both male and female football development sessions across the city.

Apply via Clearing:

• For anyone who already has the results of their qualifications, applications can be made through Clearing from Tuesday 5 July 2022.
• The University’s Clearing webpage provides further information on all the courses available in Clearing. Applications can be made either by calling the Clearing Team on 01902 51 8585 or through the University’s social media channels on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.  
• For anyone who is awaiting the results of their qualifications, they can register their interest and book a phone call with a Clearing Adviser on results day, Thursday18 August 2022.  
• For more information our next Open Day is on Saturday 20 August 2022.