At FGR, we are proud to support our amazing women’s and girls’ teams and encourage them to get involved in sports - whether through playing, coaching, or supporting. We support the future talent that women’s and girls’ football have to offer, and this is cultivated through our coaching staff. 

Forest Green Rovers - in partnership with Hartpury University and College - have been granted a three-year licence to run an FA girls Emerging Talent Centre (ETC). 

Traditionally, girls in the north of the county have had to travel substantial distances to access elite coaching programmes, so we are really pleased to be able to run the centre from Hartpury’s world class sporting facilities just outside of Gloucester. 

The FA’s Emerging Talent Centres is an innovative programme designed to make elite coaching programmes more accessible. Players are encouraged to continue training and playing with their local clubs but receive additional high-level coaching and access to additional high-level games at the ETC. 

Here’s the stories of our coaches and volunteers: 

Jon Stiddard started by coaching at grassroots level and has now been coaching for 16 years. He has been coaching in our academy setup now for five years, with the boys’ and girls’ teams.

His love of football has bled into his family, with his two boys having played for academies in Gloucestershire and his daughter, Flo, now playing in our girl’s under-16s team. John’s passions for sport and health alongside his desire to help the community have made John an integral piece of our coaching team.  

Jon’s daughter, Flo, has been playing with our girls' team from under-10s. Now in the under-16s, she is trying to push herself to enter the senior women’s team. Through her father, she helps with volunteering with our soccer camps, and being a goalkeeper by trade, has a strong desire to do the level one goalkeeping course.  

Flo loves getting stuck in and being involved in her coaching sessions. She has a fantastic relationship with the children she coaches. She is so enthusiastic about football and helping children become better footballers that she would love to progress with her coaching further and be involved in more sessions.  

Laina currently plays for our u16’s women’s team and is focused on pushing herself to get into the senior women’s team. In her spare time, she plays netball and badminton and has previously had some experience with sports therapy.  

Her passion for sports reveals itself through her coaching style. Laina provides a fun, positive atmosphere for kids to thrive. Her love for football has motivated Laina to her level one coaching badge when she turns 16, with a desire to work alongside the FGR community while playing in the women’s team.    

We are always keen to nurture future talent, if you require more information, please contact community@fgr.co.uk