Alliance Football Club Ushers in a New Chapter in Dubai Girls Football with Ebony Thompson and Marshall

In a significant move for Dubai girls football, Alliance Football Club is proud to announce the hiring of two exceptional coaches, Ebony Thompson and Marshall. This decision is poised to revolutionize the landscape of girls football in Dubai, emphasizing our commitment to nurturing young talent in the region.

Ebony Thompson: A New Beacon for Dubai Girls Football

Ebony Thompson is a standout addition to the Dubai girls football coaching scene. Her unique combination of educational and footballing experience positions her perfectly to inspire and develop young talent in Dubai. As a former captain of Sunderland U23’s Ladies and a graduate of Leeds Beckett University in Primary Education, Ebony's approach to coaching is both holistic and innovative.

Her impressive array of qualifications, including an FA Level One and a Level 3 Higher Sports Leadership Award, are complemented by specialized training in areas crucial for youth development, such as Safeguarding for Children, First Aid, and Disability Football Introduction. Ebony's involvement in the English FA Welfare Officers course further cements her dedication to the well-being and growth of players in the Dubai girls football community.

Marshall Dixon: A Visionary in Developing Dubai Girls Football Talents

Marshall joins the Alliance Football Club bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will greatly benefit Dubai girls football. Their UEFA B license and English FA Level 2 in Talent Identification are invaluable in discovering and nurturing promising young talent in Dubai.

Marshall's holistic approach to coaching, evident in their Youth Mental Health First Aid certification and ILM Level 2 in Effective Mentoring, aligns perfectly with the needs of Dubai's aspiring female footballers. Their ongoing BSc in Applied Football Studies exemplifies a commitment to staying at the forefront of coaching methodologies, ensuring our players receive modern and effective training.

Introducing Age-Specific Coaching for Every Girl at Alliance!

This season brings a fresh wave of excitement as we roll out age-specific coaching for girls. Whether you're part of the vibrant Girls U10s or the dynamic Alliance Women's team, we've tailored our coaching just for you.

Why Age-Specific Coaching?

Football, like any sport, requires a nuanced approach. The needs of a 10-year-old budding footballer differ from those of a seasoned player in the women's team. Recognizing this, we've decided to offer coaching catering to each age group's unique requirements. This ensures that every player gets the attention, training, and guidance they deserve.

From U10s to U18s Girls.

We’re delighted to have all the age groups train separately at the club.

What Can You Expect?

• Focused Training: Our coaches will deliver training sessions that align with the developmental needs of each age group. This means more relevant drills, exercises, and feedback.

• Personal Growth: Beyond football skills, players will engage in activities that foster personal growth, teamwork, and leadership – age-relevant attributes and crucial for holistic development.

• Competitive Edge: With age-specific coaching, players will be better prepared to face opponents in their age bracket, giving them a competitive edge during matches.

**Join Us on This Exciting Journey!**

We believe that this new approach will enhance our players' football skills and contribute to their personal growth and development. We're eager to kick off this season with renewed energy and focus.

To our current members, get ready for an exhilarating season ahead! And if you're considering joining the Alliance family, there's never been a better time.

Alliance FC's Success at the United Summer League 2023

Introduction: Alliance Football Club's remarkable presence at the United Summer League 2023 in Dubai, UAE, highlighted their dedication to fostering player development and promoting inclusivity in girls' football. With over 80 talented female footballers aged 7 to 16 representing the club, Alliance provided equal opportunities for girls of all abilities to participate, emphasizing growth and personal progress.

Inclusive Opportunities for All:

At Alliance Football Club, the belief that every girl should have the chance to play football guides their approach. Regardless of their abilities, all girls were welcomed to participate in the United Summer League. By fielding seven teams, Alliance created an environment where girls of diverse skill levels could experience competitive football, fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring that every player had a chance to grow and develop.

“It is important for us to ensure we provide each and every girl in our care, the opportunity and platform to shine both on and off the pitch.”

— Jess Simnett | Head Coach

Development Through Experience:

Participating in the United Summer League allowed the girls from Alliance Football Club to undergo significant development as footballers. Each match presented them with unique challenges and opportunities to refine their skills, tactical understanding, and overall game performance. The experience of playing against different opponents in a competitive setting proved invaluable in nurturing their abilities and boosting their self-confidence.

Supporting Personal Growth: Beyond the technical aspects of the game, Alliance Football Club recognizes the importance of supporting the personal growth and leadership potential of their players. By encouraging girls to take on leadership roles within their teams, the club fosters essential qualities such as communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Through the United Summer League, these girls are not only improving their football abilities but also developing into confident individuals ready to tackle challenges on and off the field.

Championing Equality and Empowerment:

Alliance Football Club's commitment to allowing girls of all abilities to play in the United Summer League demonstrates their dedication to gender equality and empowering female athletes. By breaking down societal barriers and challenging stereotypes, Alliance is creating an inclusive space for girls to thrive in football. These girls serve as inspiring role models, encouraging other young female footballers to pursue their dreams and embrace the opportunities that the sport provides.

Celebrating Progress and Community Support: The success of Alliance Football Club's girls' teams in the United Summer League has garnered well-deserved recognition and support from the local community. The achievements of these dedicated athletes have not only enhanced the club's reputation but also underscored the significance of equal opportunities in sports. Through their remarkable performances and commitment to inclusivity, Alliance Football Club's girls are leading the way towards a more diverse and empowering sporting culture.

Alliance Football Club's participation in the United Summer League 2023 showcased their unwavering commitment to player development and promoting inclusivity in girls' football. By providing equal opportunities for girls of all abilities, Alliance ensures that each player has the chance to grow and thrive in a competitive environment. Their dedication to fostering personal growth and championing equality makes Alliance Football Club a shining example of how football can positively impact the lives of young girls, both on and off the field.

MVP

Our Number 10 Lois Isabel Benschop & her MVP Award

Alliance Girls at Valencia! A trip to remember

Alliance Football Club’s Girls, a team of young, talented footballers, recently embarked on an exciting trip to Valencia, Spain. The all-girls trip was a unique experience that allowed the players to train with some of the best coaches in Spain and showcase their skills in a series of matches against Spanish teams. But the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the opportunity to train with the professional Valencia female teams.

The trip was organized exclusively for Alliance Girls, with the aim of giving them a taste of professional football and exposure to a different culture. The girls, accompanied by their coaches, spent a week in Valencia, where they trained at top-notch facilities and played matches against local teams.

The training sessions were conducted by Valencia coaches, who were impressed by the girls' passion, discipline, and hard work. They were able to identify areas of improvement and work with the girls to enhance their skills. The girls also got a chance to learn new techniques and tactics, which they were able to implement in their matches.

The matches themselves were intense and competitive, with both teams giving it their all. The Alliance Girls showed great character and determination, putting up a strong fight against the Spanish teams. The matches were an opportunity for the girls to put their training into practice, and they did not disappoint.

Top Down Guidance:

Being there for the players when needed. Giving them the tools to solve problems.

But the highlight of the trip came towards the end when the Alliance Girls got the opportunity to train with the professional Valencia female teams. This was a dream come true for the girls, who were able to learn from some of the best in the business. The girls were thrilled to be able to share the pitch with their heroes and take away invaluable lessons that will help them in their future careers.

The trip to Valencia was a fantastic experience for Alliance Girls, and it was evident that the girls had grown both as individuals and as a team. They returned home with new experiences, new friends, and a newfound appreciation for the beautiful game.

In conclusion, the trip to Valencia was a resounding success for Alliance Girls. The girls had a chance to train with some of the best coaches in the region, play matches against Spanish teams, and train with professional Valencia female teams. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that the girls will never forget. The trip was a testament to Alliance Girls' commitment to promoting women's football and empowering young girls to pursue their dreams.

Alliance Women and Girls Shine in UAE Football Competitions

The Alliance Women and Girls football teams have been making waves in the United Arab Emirates football scene with their impressive performances in various competitions. From finishing runners-up in the UAE FA's Women's League Division Two to winning the Plate in the Dubai Open for Football Academies (DOFA), the girls have displayed exceptional talent, skill, and teamwork on the field.

Runners Up

Our first experience in the UAE’s Women’s league.

In the UAE FA's Women's League Division Two, the Alliance Women's team finished as runners-up, scoring the most goals in the league and playing some attacking football. Despite narrowly missing out on the top spot, the team's performance has been nothing short of exceptional, especially considering that they are relatively new to the league.

In DOFA, both the Alliance Girls U14s and U16s teams put up commendable performances, with the former finishing as runners-up and the latter winning the Plate after a beautiful comeback. The U14s girls were unlucky to lose in the final but showed great character and determination throughout the tournament, winning several matches convincingly. Meanwhile, the U16s displayed their resilience and fighting spirit, coming back from behind to win the Plate.

Girls U14s

These girls have have been working hard during training & matches every week!

These achievements are a testament to the Alliance Football Club’s commitment to nurturing young talent and developing a strong football culture in the UAE. The Club’s focus on building a solid foundation of technical skills, tactical awareness, and mental toughness has clearly paid off, as demonstrated by the girls' performances on the field.

But it's not just about winning tournaments; the Club’s philosophy also emphasizes the importance of promoting values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect for opponents. By instilling these values in players, the Club is not just creating exceptional footballers but also responsible, well-rounded individuals who can make a positive impact in society.

Poppy Hunt | MVP

What an impressive debut for the league’s MVP (Most Valuable Player), Poppy Hunt.

The success of the Alliance Women and Girls football teams is a source of pride for the Club and the UAE football community. It shows that with the right guidance, training, and support, young players can achieve great things and reach their full potential. We look forward to seeing more of these talented girls in action and wish them all the best for their future endeavors.

Alliance Women’s Vice-Captain hands over Brand New Football Kits to Vietnam

Alliance Football Club is not only dedicated to the beautiful game but also to making a difference in the world. As part of its #alliancegives charity initiative, the club recently sent brand new football kits to Vietnam. The kits were delivered by the vice-captain of the women's team, Andrea Yague, during her school trip in February.

For many of the kids in Vietnam, receiving brand new clothes is a luxury they have never experienced. The football kits not only provide the kids with the opportunity to play the game they love, but they also give them a sense of pride and belonging. It's heartwarming to see how something as simple as a football kit can bring so much joy to these children.

Andrea Yague

Andrea (16) is the vice captain of Alliance Women Team. She’s always puts everyone on top of her priorities. A true captain and a kind human being.

This isn't the first time that Alliance Football Club has sent football kits to a developing country. The club regularly sends kits to countries like Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Ethiopia as part of their #alliancegives initiative. These donations not only provide children with the opportunity to play football but also promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

The impact of these donations goes beyond just playing the game. Football has the power to bring communities together and break down barriers. It teaches teamwork, communication, and discipline, all valuable life skills that can be applied both on and off the field.

Alliance Football Club is setting a great example for other clubs around the world. It shows that football is not just about winning games and trophies, but also about making a positive impact in the world. We hope that more clubs will follow in their footsteps and use their platform to make a difference in the world.

In conclusion, the donation of brand new football kits to Vietnam by Alliance Football Club is a testament to their commitment to making a positive impact in the world. The club's #alliancegives initiative has provided children in developing countries with the opportunity to play the game they love and learn valuable life skills. We applaud Alliance Football Club for their efforts and hope that more clubs will follow in their footsteps.

Alliance FC U14 Girls Triumph at Abu Dhabi Cup's Plate

The first time these girls played together as a team.

Girls' football is on the rise, and Alliance Football Club's U14s girls have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with. In their first major tournament together, these young girls won the Abu Dhabi Cup's plate, playing some of the most beautiful football of the tournament.

The Abu Dhabi Cup is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the region, attracting teams from across the UAE and beyond. The U14s girls' category is fiercely contested, with some of the best young talent in the country on display. Despite being relatively unknown going into the tournament, Alliance FC's U14s girls quickly made their mark, winning two out of their three group stage games and scoring 12 goals in the process.

Life is football!

after having a difficult first day at the cup, girls turned up with a navy seal’s mindset! they won all of their matches on day 2!

The knockout stages were equally challenging, with the girls facing tough opponents from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, they remained calm under pressure, showing maturity beyond their years, and winning both their quarter-final and semi-final matches convincingly.

In the final, Alliance FC's U14s girls faced another team from Abu Dhabi, in a tense affair that was evenly matched. However, the girls displayed great character and resilience, battling hard for every ball and creating several scoring opportunities. In the end, they emerged victorious, winning the plate trophy in front of a delighted crowd of supporters.

This historic victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Alliance FC coaching staff, who had prepared the girls well for the tournament. The girls had responded by displaying excellent teamwork, determination, and skill, and their victory has shown that girls' football in the UAE is on the rise.

The future looks bright for Alliance Football Club's U14s girls, and their victory at the Abu Dhabi Cup's plate will no doubt inspire more young girls to take up football. If you're a young girl looking to get involved in football, Alliance Football Club is a great place to start. With experienced coaches and a supportive community, you'll have the opportunity to develop your skills and play beautiful football, just like these young champions.

Nurturing Talents in Alliance Football Club: Girls Football in the UAE Women's League

Football is a sport that brings people together, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. It's a sport that requires teamwork, strategy, and skills. In the UAE, girls football has been gaining momentum in recent years, and Alliance Football Club has been at the forefront of this movement. By participating in the UAE Women's League, the club is providing a platform for young players to showcase their talents and develop their skills.

Football is not just a game. It’s a mini-version of society!

Every girl can benefit from playing football! It helps become more confident.

The UAE Women's League is a competitive league that allows young players to test their abilities against some of the best teams in the country. This exposure to high-level competition helps players improve their decision making, game understanding, and overall performance. The league provides a competitive environment that allows players to grow and develop their skills in a supportive and challenging atmosphere.

At Alliance Football Club, the focus is on developing the young players and helping them reach their full potential. The coaches and trainers work closely with the players to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies to improve their performance. The club provides a supportive and inclusive environment where players can express themselves freely and build their confidence.

Playing in the UAE Women's League helps players develop their teamwork and communication skills. They learn to work together to achieve a common goal and understand the importance of communication in the field. This helps players develop a strong sense of camaraderie and build lasting relationships on and off the field.

In conclusion, the UAE Women's League is a great opportunity for young girls football players in the UAE to develop their skills and showcase their talents. By participating in this league, Alliance Football Club is pushing its players to reach their full potential and helping them grow as individuals and athletes. The club is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for its players and will continue to help them reach their goals.

Showing the human side of the game by supporting our head coach, Jess Simnett

Meet our new head coach | Jess Simnett

We welcome Jess Simnett to our coaching staff.

Jess is a UEFA A Licence Coach with international experience as an assistant coach to England's WU15, WU16 and WU23 National Teams.

Jess has eight years of experience working in the England Women's Talent Pathway, supporting the development of national team players and being responsible for finding and developing the next generation of 'Future Lionesses'.

Qualifications:

UEFA A Licence

FA Youth Award

FA Developing The Developer 

Sport, Physical Education & Coaching Science BSc (Hons) - The University of Birmingham, UK

Experiences:

England Women's National Teams - U15, U16 & U23's Assistant Coach

FA Talent Technical Coach (North East of England)

FA National Development Programme - Head Coach

Lead the strategic direction of The England Women's Talent Pathway & The Discover My Talent Campaign in the North East of England

Developing a High-Performing Culture within The England Women's Talent Pathway Team

Girls Football: How to deal with setbacks

Young girls across Dubai will face many setbacks during their football journey, and this can start from a young age. At Alliance Football Club, Dubai, we aim to help female football players with their confidence, self-esteem, mindset, and outlook on not only their skills, but their lives off the pitch too.

Whether it’s minor or majorsetbacks, girls’ football can be impacted in ways that seep intothe players’ lives in some way. How they bounce back and recover from minor or major setbacks teaches them many life lessons along the way, and can show female footballers that anything is possible with hard work and determination. As girls football grows significantly across Dubai, with more and more girls joining academies each week, and competition getting tougher, setbacks will bea natural factor all players. Therefore, it’s vital that parents and coaches consider this aspect of the game when being a part of the football world. What a coach may describe as a minor setback may feel like a major setback to a player. As their emotions are heightened, as they are the ones playing, parents and coaches must supportplayers in guiding them on how to recover from a setback, no matter how big or small. Setbacks may include things like;injury or absence from training, or more simpler things like making a mistake and conceding a goal, or even missing a shot in a match.

Each player will respond differently to different actionsand outcomes, and the way they respond will correlate withtheir ability to bounce back. Bounding back from a set-back demonstrates the mindset an individual has, and their ability to see past thenegatives and focus on the positives. It also shows those who may have difficulties in finding the positives in negative situations, and the extra support they may need to see beyond the initial setback. Bouncing back does not come down to physical fitness or how talented a player is, it is all down to mindset. Guiding players to focus on the controllables, instead of the things they cannot control, will help toencourageyoung players to work towards adopting a more positive mindset. Focusing on the things out of our control is a natural reaction to negative events that ensue, in an

attempt to blame someone else or find an excuse for the negative occurrence, rather than taking ownership of yourown mistake. Focusing on things out of our control, has a negative long-term effect. Players can start to feel that they are more out of control during training and matches, especiallywhen things are going wrong. Whereas, if a player is able to forget about the things not in their control, and focus solely on things that are in their control–like themselves-thenthey’re able to have better focus during performance.This habit of dealing with setbacks in a healthy “big picture” type of way will lead to players building a naturalpositive mindset,enabling them to deal with setbacks in a much better way.

Effective communication is also vital in dealing with setbacks in youth football. Allowing players the opportunity to talk openly, with coaches and team mates may prevent them from feeling down about a possible setback. This is something we highly encourage and nurture at Alliance Football Club, Dubai. The sooner a coach knows about what the player believes to be a setback, the sooner they can encourage positive thinking and guide them towards dealing with the set-back in a positive way rather than dealing with it on their own away from football. Also, allowing team mates to discuss the setbacks they are facing as a team, positively influences individuals and teaches them how to deal with it individuallywhen they may not have team mates around. Knowing their football sessions are safe places to learn, make mistakes and come back from failures, will only encourage young female playersto be stronger and more confident when dealing with setbacks.

Lastly, finding solutions to setbacks can also give players a technique to deal with such occurrences. Discussing setbacks with team mates and coaches opens up a platform to share ideas of how to possibly prevent the mistakes from happening, so that solutions can be discussed and tried. Without having thisopen platform to talk, it becomes more difficult to implement and share new ideas or ways of bouncing back from negative events. Therefore, a combination of thinking positively, controlling the controllables, communicating with coaches and team mates, and also finding solutions,leaves young girls in footballwith the best possible opportunities and waysof confidentlyrecovering from anysetbacks.

The Importance of Role Models in Girls’ Football

At Alliance Girls’ Football Club we continue to reiterate just how important it is for young girls to have football role models – women who have made a career out of the game, and those who encourage and inspire our players – and, for us, this starts with our team of incredible female football coaches. Let’s take a closer look at why role models in girls’ football are important, and how the industry needs to encourage this…

Having a competent female coach can be beneficial for girls football development.

Every young male footballer all over the world, with a dream of becoming a professional player, has someone they look up to and aspire to be like. Typically, these players are globally well known; Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah and so on. When you ask your older brothers, fathers, or even grandparents, they will also have a male footballer that they looked up to when they were younger, Diego Maradona, Pele, David Beckham, to name just a few. This SHOULD be the same for young girls, regardless of their gender. They should have the opportunity to look and see professional female footballers, on social media platforms, on TV, and in stadiums all over the world. But unfortunately, when young girls get asked who their role models are, their answers aren’t usually female footballers, they are male footballers. When their older sisters, mothers and grandparents get asked, they too produce male professional footballers as people they know and recognise in the footballing world. 

So, why is this?

Women’s football is many years away from being as big as the men's game, with many believing it won’t ever grow as big. However, there has to be some appreciation towards the level of growth that has occurred in the last decade. There are now numerous professional leagues, with full-time professional athletes, professional girl’s academies, and international tournaments that mirror the men's game. Whilst many will be able to name some of the legends of the women's game over the last decade, like Kelly Smith, Abby Wambach and Marta, many still won’t. The new generation of famous female footballers include the likes of Lucy Bronze, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan who are leading the way in generating popularity and global support for the women's game. These are sponsored athletes, by HUGE brands like Adidas and Nike, who play in full-time professional leagues at well recognised clubs like Manchester City, and also represent their countries on the global stage at World Cups, Olympic Games and European finals. 

A female coach who has been there and done that, can connect with girls and influence their development both as a player and a person.

Whilst female role models are vital in encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams in football, males too can play a positive role in supporting and motivating females. When men are open-minded, and welcoming of females in such a male dominated sport, this shows other males how to be equal and inclusive. The more males that support females, encourages other men who may not be so open-minded or welcoming to the idea, to follow in their footsteps. At the end of the day, we all know it will take a very long time for the female game to catch up to the men's game, so if men can be more accepting and helpful in supporting the progression of the female game, then the rate at which growth will happen, will be much quicker. Alliance FC’s very own head coach and founder, Mehran Rowshan, is one such ally, progressive and staunch supporter of helping to grow Girls’ Football, but, more importantly, to instil confidence and self-belief in young girls that they can truly pursue the game and succeed. 

Without such role models leading the way for the women's game, young girls wouldn’t have anyone to look up to. Here at Alliance Football Club Dubai, we recognise the importance of having role models, and females at the forefront of everything we do within the girl’s department. We have UEFA-qualified female coaches, full-time staff who are female, and part-time female coaches who have all played football to the highest standard in their home countries. We even have a UAE national team player – how inspiring is that? Sharing their stories and experiences with our girls at Alliance, positively influences them in ways which men cannot. They create a foundation where our girls can see careers in football are possible for girls, they can relate to their experiences and hardships along the way, and most importantly, they get real life contact with females who have all been where they currently are. Our girls can ask questions, have regular discussions, and experience professional coaching by females. The more players we can positively influence to pursue their dreams and want a career in football or sport, shows the positive impact we have made on their lives, even in the smallest of ways. Showing them that anything is possible, and to be brave and resilient in a male-dominated world, gives young girls the foundations to have a positive career in anything they choose to do. 

Challenging the Negative Perceptions of Girls’ Football

Women’s football has come a long way; it is no secret that female players have faced more challenges in the game. However, the last decade has seen considerable growth for girls’ and women’s football – and at Alliance FC, Dubai, we remain at the forefront of this continuous development. 

Over the last decade, there have been vast improvements in the growth and development of the women's game, globally. The women’s football now consists of numerous professional leagues worldwide, professional full-time teams, and staff and players, which simply was not the case a decade ago. The number of professional athletes continues to grow rapidly each season, and the number of men’s football clubs injecting money into their female department has seen significant growth specifically within the last five years. Allowing their football clubs to have a female department, promotes equality, diversity and also provides a platform for young girls to dream big. Without showcasing the women's game globally, there wouldn’t be as big of a demand for young girls to have access in football, as there is now. 

Whilst there is positive growth and development in the women's game, there is also negativity and uneducated opinions shared worldwide on a regular basis. A simple comparison to the men's game, gives people on social media platforms the opportunity to scrutinise and show disrespect towards everyone involved in the women's game. Females involved in the game know and understand there are physical differences between both games, with the speed it is played, and with the budgets on offer to receive high tech equipment and gadgets – unfortunately, football is football. 

Whilst social media platforms can be used to promote and inspire young girls to play football, it can also be a window into negative comments, which can be off putting for young girls. As most of the young generation today have social media, it is important that they can see photos, watch videos, and read posts that are engaging, positive, exciting and fun. This is to capture their attention, and help them to see that being female and playing football IS OK. However, not only does negative media harm the growth of the women’s game, it is detrimental in making young girls feel worried, scared and outnumbered when taking their first steps in the game. For a young girl, watching their favourite professional female players playing for their clubs or countries, should be fun and positive and there to show them that a career for girls in football is possible.They should not have to witness the derogatory comments, negativity towards their gender and hate comments that typically flood social media platforms when the game is over. 

Playing football as a team sport improves self-confidance & character development of any teen girl.

To challenge these negative perceptions, there has been an increase in equality and opportunity across the men's game, to help promote females working within the game. Also, there has been more promotion around the women's game in general, supported by global organisations and brands. Followed up with more personal support from their male counterparts at the football club where they play. Brands like Adidas and Nike always have both male and female athletes in their advertisements and campaigns. Showcasing this on a global platform encourages equality and suggests to the world that they are treating them as equals, so should they. In addition, many local football clubs, just like Alliance FC, now have a girl’s teams alongside their boy’s teams. Especially at Alliance FC, we give the same energy and focus to both our boys and girl’s teams. A decade ago, there may not have been many teams for girls to play in, however now more groups of girls are joining in, learning new skills and drills and having fun with their team mates. 

In reality, though women’s football has come far – there is still a long way to go. Without showcasing the women's game on national TV, using female athletes as the face of brands, and encouraging men's football clubs to support all their athletes, not just their male athletes, there wouldn’t be as many professional players, staff and clubs visible for young girls to see. Every day, uneducated people will make offensive comments towards the women's game, but the growth and development will continue to rise, and gradually over time the amount of negativity will decrease. 

Finding a safe place to play where you feel valued, appreciated and where you can grow as a player gives you the foundations to become resilient, brave and confident to become the best footballer you can be. Here at Alliance FC, we encourage our girls to work just as hard as the boys, if not even harder. We ask them to be accountable for their actions, turning up on time, looking professional in their Alliance uniform, and training to the best of their ability to constantly improve. We also support our girls with professionally qualified female football coaches. This shows them there can be a career in football, but also provides a role model of someone who has been where they are, and someone who has faced negativity and bounced back. Providing our Girls club with the best platform to grow and develop into fantastic footballers is at the heart of everything we do. 

Helping Players to Develop Their Self-Esteem

All footballers across the world will have to explore and look deeply at their own competencies and beliefs at some point in their football journey. For those who begin their sports voyage at Alliance Football Club, Dubai, there are a number of great benefits from the very start. Our world-renowned coaches are trained in the most useful techniques and methods to help young athletes build confidence in themselves and their skills. Let’s take a look at why this is important and how we can help players to develop their self-belief.

Some athletes will naturally be confident, and have a high level of self-belief, whereas other athletes may struggle to see their own worth and value in their team, and find it difficult to believe in themselves and their own ability. There will be times in a player’s journey where their self-belief may be on a high, and, suddenly, due to a negative moment, it drastically decreases, making them start all over again. In trying to work out how to boost their self-belief and find that confidence in themselves all over again, young athletes need all the support that we can give to them. 

Self-belief is described as being able to trust in our own abilities and capabilities to meet a task, and having the confidence that we will do whatever it takes to try and achieve success. Without having that natural belief in one’s self, players will struggle to progress and develop, and also unlock their full potential. When self-belief doesn’t exist, or isn’t as prominent as it could and should be, this hinders players’ ability to grow and become successful. For young girls in football, this is a trait that many struggle to tap into, and appreciate the importance of. Being more introverted than boys, who are typically in their comfort zones on a football pitch, and under pressure, they typically strive and exceed expectations set for them. Whereas, with many young girls, it is natural for them to feel doubtful and have many demons to fight with in order to believe in themselves and trust in their own abilities. However, in a sport that continues to be so male-dominated, the football environment presents a different set of obstacles for female players to deal with. 

As a result of this, at Alliance Football Club, we strive to make the environment for all of our players a safe place to learn, grow and achieve success. We support players as individuals and as team mates in order to delve deeper into the needs of each person, rather than assuming that they all require the same as their friends. The coaches and team at Alliance FC make a conscious effort to tailor session plans to include moments for every young girl to shine. Whether that is in a warm up activity and allowing them to have fun with their friends so they feel positive about practice, or in the main session through asking someone to demonstrate an activity, which gives them a confidence boost as a result of being selected to show their talent and understanding to their friends. Other simple tasks will be put in place by our coaches, and unconsciously help to boost the self-belief and confidence of your children. 

Some individuals may require more time or guidance to work on their self-belief, and this is where we will communicate with all of our players individually, to see what they are feeling in that moment, and if they are feeling positive or are struggling. In asking players this, we are showing them that we are open to talk about good and bad moments, and that we have their best interests at heart. To develop a player, you also need to learn about the person. Therefore, players have to feel safe in their environment to feel confident enough to share their feelings. We support our players and give them the time they need to be honest and share their feelings, but also, we recognise through their behaviours at training sessions, whether they are struggling with their self-belief and need guidance. 

Behaviours that players show can explain to a coach what they are thinking or experiencing at that moment in time.  If someone doesn’t have self-belief, they may struggle to show demonstrations to their friends, or struggle in conversations to share their thoughts and opinions. If they are not able to trust in their knowledge and abilities, then they will naturally shy away from putting themselves on a platform to showcase themselves or their opinions. This is as a result of being scared of failure, and not trusting that their belief is correct. At Alliance FC, we encourage all players to join in conversations and activities, so that if failure takes place, it’s in a safe environment, where the individual will be encouraged and congratulated for trusting the process and taking part. Coaches are also trained to identify moments of low self-belief and help players to build up courage. Players will not be disheartened for answering incorrectly, or not showing the right technique, as we know that for someone with low self-belief, this would have been a huge accomplishment to undertake in the first place. 

For all of us at Alliance FC, we recognise the importance for players to completely embrace and genuinely feel the significance of self-belief, and the positive actions it can have on your everyday life. Individuals with high self-belief and confidence typically deal with stressful situations and difficult emotions a lot better than those who have low self-belief. They also have a greater ability to concentrate more, especially when tasks get challenging, due to their belief in themselves that they will accomplish the activity set in front of them. They also have a greater ability to lead and positively influence others, as they have the confidence in their own ability to share their experiences with their friends, in a mission to help improve their self-belief too. And lastly, young people with high self-belief, typically become more fearless, where they strive to be challenged in order to overcome and succeed. They have a desire to face difficulties, as they know how amazing it will feel when they get to the other side and achieve success. 

At Alliance FC, we take time IN every single session to get to know our players better, both on the pitch, and off the pitch. We value the importance of self-belief, and find ways to encourage and improve each and every one of our players to help them see their value at the club, with their team, and for themselves. In order to positively influence player development and make football culture and environment a more positive place to be, rather than an unconstructive, negative one.

Read more about our training, methodology, and core values here: www.alliancefootballclub.com

Creating a Positive Environment in Girls’ Football

We are heavily invested in helping girls in football to adopt a mindset that is encouraged through positive surroundings; at Alliance Football Club, Dubai, this means providing a space for girls to thrive in sports, and in their own personal growth. 

By: Shauna Duffy | Head of Girls Football

For any young footballer, taking their first steps into a football practice can be a daunting experience. A number of thoughts can cast a shadow on their first time on the pitch; there are more experienced players, there are players who have more confidence, and there are players who already have many friends in their group. 

The anxieties that come with doing things for the first time, are certainly more prominent in girls’ football, than boys. Girls are already challenging the stigma that football is just for boys. So, Alliance Football Club knows that if girls take their first steps into football where there is a welcoming, fun, challenging (to suit their needs), and open-to-mistake and development, atmosphere – then there is no excuse for why their first experience won’t be a positive one. 

At Alliance Football Club, we embed simple values and beliefs that lay the foundations to create a positive environment for all players, but especially for our Girls Football Club. Once the foundations are set, it allows for all players, parents and coaches to have a guideline to work with. These guidelines lay down a basis for how to be an Alliance football player, parent or coach. We feel that this adds value to the child’s experience, due to the consistent messages they will receive during their time at football sessions, and at home. Everyone at Alliance Football Club believes in the values we create and share, and this allows for a collective approach to creating a positive environment for our female footballers to learn, grow and develop. 

• Humility; No matter how talented you are, are you humble enough to work towards success with an unpretentious manner?

• Hard Work; You have the talent, but are you willing to give it all you’ve got and more to invest and nurture that talent?

• There is no “I” in team; can you put the interests and needs of your team above your own?

At Alliance we believe a positive environment is a ‘safe place’ for all of our players to experience individual success and team success, along with individual and team failings and challenges. Without showing both sides to football, there wouldn’t be a true representation of the game, leaving young players unsure of how to deal with the hard times if all they experience are good times. Therefore, we reinforce the positive actions our players take, and use them to encourage others to mirror their positive choices. 

Everyone that steps foot onto our Alliance Football Club pitch will see these values being practiced, and taught. There will be many moments where these values will be delivered unconsciously, however there will also be times where our girls will get challenged and tested to encourage positive responses from certain situations. In doing so, your child will be constantly learning about their team mates, but also about themselves and how they can deal with difficult situations. Without exposing young girls to challenging scenarios, they will struggle to deal with hardship and conflict later on in life. Therefore, giving them exposure to difficulties, and supporting and educating them on how to never give up, to not let their gender get in the way, and how to use their support network to develop and grow, embeds a positive approach to difficulties they may face at any point. 

We also encourage players to be intrinsically motivated, which takes away the desire for external objects to prove success. An example being, players being motivated by their own small developments, rather than only seeing success as winning trophies. In finding intrinsic motivation, this allows players to also develop their self-awareness, as they are continuously working on their own development, and have the understanding and vision of what success looks like to them. 

This is where our values come into action, and show what our players are truly capable of. Are they able to continuously work hard and invest even more time than they already do on themselves and their team mates? Are they able to present their successes in a humble way? And are they able to share their success with others, and encourage their team mate’s success too? 

Without listing these values and expectations to our players, they wouldn’t have anything to work towards and focus on, therefore at Alliance Football Club, we believe in the importance of providing expectations for our players, and using our methods on the pitch and off the pitch. More importantly, we do this with the support of parents too, to guide the way for our players to learn, grow and develop as the future decision-makers and leaders in society.

Fear of Failure in Girls Football

There are many reasons why Alliance FC continues to grow its Girls Football Club; equality in sports, nurturing young talent, and helping young girls to build their confidence are just a few of those reasons. In the diverse community of Dubai, a Girls’ Football Club represents strength, progression, and a brighter future. However, these accomplishments do not come without their share of challenges, and for many young girls that take part in football worldwide, many will experience a sense of fear towards failure at some point in their footballing journey. 

Failure can be described in many ways, but also be perceived differently to each individual. What may be a minor failing to one person, could be a lot more significant to someone else. Therefore, it is important to understand and recognise the different emotions and reactions associated with failing; the before, the during and the after of every situation should be acknowledged in order to offer guidance and support to each individual, in a way that is specifically tailored to them. 

Having a fear of failure, negatively influences the ability of the athlete to focus, to work to their optimum, and to, sometimes, see positivity along the way. For example, a young girl playing competitive football in Dubai for the first time, may have some anxiety towards their own performance and failing in the game. The most important steps to help this young girl, is to firstly identify what the fear is, and why these feelings are arising. Once you know this, you can encourage her to have more open discussions at home, and at her club with coaches and peers, about these feelings and how we can try to eliminate them.

Once an athlete knows what they are fearful of, the process afterwards can be made a lot easier as they have now identified the root cause and can start to work towards feeling more positive, acknowledging their own development, and hopefully achieving success on their own terms, at the end. Visualisation and Self-Talk are important skills to combatting fear of failure, and they are techniques that are used by even the most prolific, professional athletes. Visualisation is when someone creates a clear image, or series of images in relation to themselves achieving success. For example, the young girl is fearful of playing in her first competitive match, however if she can visualise herself on the pitch scoring a goal, or winning the match with her friends, her mindset and thought process is more positive than its original state. Therefore, helping young players to see a positive outcome from their original fear, helps to shift from negativity to positivity and makes the process a lot more relaxed, as opposed to anxious and stressed.

Self-Talk is a tool used to encourage athletes to talk through their feelings and thoughts around a certain topic. For the young girl who is worried about her first competitive match, she is experiencing heightened emotions as it is the first time she has taken part in a match. Therefore, helping her to talk through the process she took to prepare for the match, and how hard she has worked to get to this moment, offers positivity around the situation, rather than worry and stress. Once she can see and believe how hard she has worked to get to this point, and how deserving she is to take part in the match, she is more likely to have a sense of pride and passion towards the match rather than negative apprehensive feelings.

With young girls having to compete every day in a male dominated sport, they are already entering the footballing world with more anxieties and stresses than their male counterparts. Due to this fact, it is important to positively influence young girls as early as possible, to educate, support and promote their worth in the game. If girls can see that football is just as important for girls as it is for boys, less girls will enter the game with a pre-determined negativity towards the sport, towards themselves, and towards their future. 

It is for this very reason that Alliance FC emphasises on sports equality and continues to support equal access to football for girls in Dubai. Supporting young girls on the pitch, AND away from the pitch, discussing what fears they have, and then using visualisation and self-talk to combat fear of failure in football, will only enhance the journey they take. Girls’ Football Club, Dubai is proud to provide female athletes with the best platform to succeed in the sport they love! 

Shauna Duffy joins Alliance as head of girls football

We’re delighted to welcome Shauna Duffy to our coaching team.

Shauna recently arrived in Dubai from the UK to Join Alliance FC in a Full-Time Coaching and Managerial Role, specifically leading on all aspects of the girl’s academy.

Shauna brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our club. She will lead our girls & ladies football department.

Shauna obtains her UEFA B Licence and is currently completing her UEFA A Licence based in the UK. She has completed her Undergraduate Degree in Sports Coaching and Development, graduating with First Class Honours, along with a Masters in Sports Research in the UK. 

Shauna has 10 year’s coaching experience working within girl’s elite academies in the UK, specifically with Liverpool FC for the last 6 years. She also has vast experience with Senior Players, working with numerous Open Age Women’s Clubs in the UK. 

Coaching Qualifications: 

Currently studying on UEFA A Licence 

UEFA B Licence 

FA Youth Award 

FA Developing Coaches through Mentoring

BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development – 1st Class – Edge Hill University, UK

Masters in Research (Sport) – Edge Hill University, UK 

Experiences: 

Liverpool Women Regional Talent Centre – U12’s – U16’s 

Blackburn Rovers Ladies Regional Talent Centre – U9’s / U11’s 

Salford City Lionesses – First Team Manager 

Stockport County Ladies – First Team Assistant Manager 

Edge Hill University Women’s – First Team Manager 

The importance of football for girls

For many young girls, they are now able to see a world in football where they are accepted and welcomed with open arms, regardless of their gender. There are many opportunities to learn, develop and grow, and most importantly have fun! Having positive experiences from an early age provides young girls with a platform to learn new things, and feel safe when out of their comfort zone. Enabling young girls to develop their confidence and self-belief through football, not only allows them to enjoy the sport more, but it also develops their skills for life and provides a positive platform to grow as people, and not just footballers.

As a result of women's football now being recognised globally, young girls have many role models to look up to across the sport they love. Some are footballers, coaches and referees, and others may work behind the scenes, however together they can inspire young girls across the world to continuously work hard whilst they are young, in order to one day follow in their footsteps and become role models to others when they are older. Providing females with a variety of role models reassures them that football can be a positive place to dedicate their time and energy at a young age, due to the ever-growing opportunities the game now provides and will provide in the future.

Whilst clear differences still exist between the total amount of players and coaches based off their gender, the platform in which females can now play football professionally, make a sustainable career from working within football, or even be a fan obtaining a season ticket to spectate women’s games, shows how much growth and development there has been in the last 10 years. This will only continue to grow! Therefore, gaining access to girl’s football at the earliest moment, allows for a greater and more positive journey through the game, enabling more career opportunities in the future.

FIVE IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WOMEN’S FOOTBALL (THAT PROVE THE SPORT IS FOR EVERYONE!)

1. Nowadays, there is a successful Women’s Football Association (WFA) and even a winter English Women's Super League in the UK and Europe. Why is this important? It shows a positive movement for females in football; this means that girls now have the chance of success at major tournaments, it is their opportunity to reach the top tier of professional teams and seek out a career in football, if they so wish.

2. Sam Kerr is the 27-year-old captain of the Australian women's national football team and plays professionally for Chelsea in the English FA Women's Super League. She is the all-time goal scorer in the American NSWL and Australia’s Women’s League. Kerr has earned her fair share of honours including a nomination for the FIFA best player award. She is a prolific goal scorer and the highest-rated female player in FIFA 19 (her rating is higher than that of Mohamed Salah!). Well-known for her goal celebration backflips, Kerr is doing pretty spectacular things to pave the way for females in football.

3. Brazil’s Marta Vieira da Silva was given the nickname “Pelé in skirts” by Pelé himself. Marta is often regarded as the greatest female player of all time and has been named FIFA World Player of the Year six times. This is not only a record for female players but for men too. Marta is an inspiration in women’s football, you only need to check out her fantastic goals and football capabilities to see how much she has contributed to women’s football.

4. Back in 2012, The Reggae Girlz, Jamaica’s national women’s team had their funding cut in favour of the men’s team. Cedella Marley, the eldest daughter of reggae legend Bob Marley, helped revive the team who went on to become the first Caribbean squad to ever compete at the World Cup. Cedella donated money as well as organising a campaign to raise funds for the team through her music and the single release “Strike Hard”, in honour of the campaign.

5. On 5th December 1921, the Football Association banned women from playing the sport on FA-associated pitches. This meant that women could no longer play at real grounds with spectators or a referee. The FA branded the game as being, "quite unsuitable for females" and something that "ought not to be encouraged". The ban was finally lifted in 1971, and keen female players were suddenly able to go out and play the game they so loved, once again. A few years later the formation of the Women's Football Association (WFA) cemented the right for girls and women to play football, professionally.