Kat Smith accepted into the second edition of the FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme

CommBank Junior Matildas Assistant Coach and Analyst and newly appointed Western Sydney Wanderers Head Coach, Kat Smith, is one of 20 female coaches to be accepted into the second edition of the FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme.   

Launched yesterday, the program will see 20 female coaches from across the globe mentored by some of the leading figures in coaching, including Australians Tom Sermanni and Joe Montemurro.   

Smith, who has been paired with Athletic Bilbao Women’s head coach, Iraia Iturregi, is thrilled to be presented with further opportunities to continue her development in her chosen profession. 

“I am incredibly honoured and grateful to have this opportunity and am appreciative of the support of Football Australia, who championed my application to be a part of the programme,” said Smith.   

It pays homage to those that have backed me in the past and opportunities I've had because of their belief.  I am extremely excited about the possibility of continuing my coaching journey and fortunate to expand my expertise and experiences through accessing a global network."  

CommBank Junior Matildas Assistant Coach and Analyst, Kat Smith in camp. (Photo: Ann Odong / Football Australia)
CommBank Junior Matildas Assistant Coach and Analyst, Kat Smith in camp. (Photo: Ann Odong / Football Australia)

An AFC Pro-Licenced coach, Smith’s involvement in the game spans 20 years, with the now Western Sydney Wanderers head coach having been involved at all levels of women’s football.   

Her football career has seen her hold positions as a Skills Acquisition Trainer, National Premier Leagues Technical Director (Green Gully FC), a Team Manager, NPL Head Coach (Galaxy United and Alamein FC), Liberty A-League Women’s Assistant Coach (Melbourne Victory), Australian Opposition Analyst for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and CommBank Junior Matildas Assistant Coach and Performance Analyst.   

With extensive experience already in varied positions, Smith is hoping that the Programme adds to her understanding of her profession for the betterment of the players she coaches.   

This opportunity, I'm hoping, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from across the globe to open my mind to new ways of doing and thinking in the game.  With the high calibre of Mentors, it will provide challenges that lead to growth and harness courage.”   

“I want to explore how that knowledge can be brought back to platforms and programs here in Australia that help shape further growth initiatives in our game and allow us to better equip the next generation of athletes for the world stage. 

“On a personal level, this Programme allows for that individual and professional development to happen on the job, and that's what you want. With this set-up, you can apply new learnings and new skills and continue to develop your craft so you are having the most positive impact you can on the game.” 

[MORE: Three Australians selected as part of FIFA's Female Coaching Education Scholarships]

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Commencing in 2018, the FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme aims to develop and empower a new generation of female coaches.  The Programme participants are paired with a top coach in women’s football for a period of 18 months.   

Through their paired Mentors, Mentees are provided with coaching guidance, support for career development, and access to a global network of female coaches.   

FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, Sarai Bareman, expressed her pride in the life-changing nature of the Programme.    

“First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for taking up the opportunity to be part of this programme. It is one of my favourites that we offer, quite simply because it is a life-changing programme," Bareman said in her introductory speech. 

"This programme is really about creating a network and a pathway for female coaches. Combined with our Coach Education Scholarship Programme, we know that creating pathways for female coaches is absolutely crucial to achieving our strategic objectives." 

CommBank Junior Matildas head coach Rae Dower in camp. (Photo: Ann Odong / Football Australia)
CommBank Junior Matildas head coach Rae Dower in camp. (Photo: Ann Odong / Football Australia)

Former Matilda and CommBank Junior Matildas head coach Rae Dower was a participant in the first edition of the Programme in 2018.  Dower, who has been involved with the women’s game for over 40 years, credits it with providing her with access to an unparalleled professional network and access to new opportunities.   

“The FIFA Coach Mentor Program was an inspirational experience,” Dower said.  “The group of coaches, mentees, and mentors, were incredible and the amount of collective knowledge, wisdom and experience that was so willingly shared showed what is possible when like-minded people come together with passion and a willingness to grow the women's game and to help each other to be the best they can be.”  

“Personally, I gained some wonderful friendships and achieved personal growth and insights through the 18 months of the course.  I have a great rapport and friendship with my own mentor, and we have continued to keep in touch for the last 2 years.    

I was able to build my professional football network and FIFA valued my contribution very highly, inviting me to be a mentor within the Coach Education Scholarships which I am thoroughly enjoying. 

“I also gained a great sense of validation about my own experience and qualities as a coach and leader, affirming what I have to offer which has re-ignited the spark in me to keep striving for more.” 


List of formed pairs of Mentors and Mentees  

Mentor 

 

Mentee 

 

Vlatko Andonovski (MKD) 

USA WNT Coach  

Katerina Mileska  

U17 WNT Coach (MKD) 

Epifania Benitez (PAR) 

Paraguay U17 WNT Coach 

Ana Laura Galindo Domínguez  

U17 WNT Coach (MEX) 

Kay Cossington (ENG) 

Head of Women’s Technical - The FA  

Caroline Sjöblom  

U19 WNT Coach (SWE) 

Corinne Diacre (FRA) 

France WNT Coach  

Simone Jatobá  

U17 WNT Coach (BRA) 

Desiree Ellis (RSA) 

South Africa WNT Coach  

Maggie Chombo  

U20 WNT Coach (MWI) 

Iraia Iturregi (ESP) 

Athletic Bilbao Women’s Head Coach 

Kat Smith  

Western Sydney Wanderers FC Head Coach 

Pedro Martinez Losa (ESP) 

Scotland WNT Coach  

Sonia Haziraj  

WNT (Several) 

Joe Montemurro (AUS) 

Juventus Women’s Head Coach  

Debbi McCulloch  

Spartans FC Women Coach (SCO) 

Francisco Neto (POR) 

Portugal WNT Coach  

Amelia Valverde Villalobos  

WNT Coach (CRI) 

Nils Nielsen (DEN) 

Switzerland WNT Coach 

Lidija Stojkanovic  

U19 WNT Coach (SER) 

Even Pellerud (NOR) 

Former Norway WNT Coach  

Shilene Booysen  

WNT Coach (SSD) 

Bev Priestman (ENG) 

Canada WNT Coach  

Katarzyna Maria Barlewicz 

U19 WNT Coach (POL) 

Tom Sermanni (SCO) 

Former NZ, USA & AUS WNT Coach  

Pamela Conti  

WNT Coach (VEN) 

Ives Serneels (BEL)  

Belgium WNT Coach  

Natalie Lawrence  

WNT & U20 Assistant Coach (NZL) 

Anna Signeul (SWE)  

Finland WNT Coach 

Stefania Maggiolini Fort  

U17 WNT Techn. Assistant (URU) 

Pia Sundhage (SWE) 

Brazil WNT Coach  

Tracey Kevins  

U20 WNT Coach (USA) 

Tina Theune (GER) 

Former Germany WNT Coach  

Kathrin Peter  

U20 WNT Coach (GER) 

Monica Vergara (MEX) 

Mexico WNT Coach  

Laura del Río Garcia  

U23 WNT Coach (ESP) 

Jorge Vilda (ESP) 

Spain WNT Coach  

Elna Dixon  

WNT Coach (NIC) 

Chan Yuen Ting (HKG) 

Jiangsu LFC Head Coach  

Manar Mustafa  

U17 WNT Coach (JOR)