Source: Betfair

Sporting spotlight on Kerry Walklett

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Beneficiary of the Betfair Fairer Game Initiative Reading player Kerry Walklett is hoping that completing her UEFA B license will propel her coaching ambitions into a successful career, and would eventually like a position at either a club or academy.  Indications are that she is sure to get there!

Kerry Walklett (Photo: Betfair)

Kerry has combined coaching with playing from an early age.  She was just 17 when she helped resurrect her football team after it folded.  She had been playing for them since she was 14 and, despite little support from the very male oriented club, and little interest from them in terms of  developing the women’s side of the club, she managed to get the team going again, recruited players, gained funds and kit and combined the roles of player and manager.  She was also doing her Level 1 coaching course.  A heavy load for anyone, let alone a school girl.

Kerry interest in football began when she went along to a football session with an older brother at about 4 years old, ironically she loved it and he lost interest; she kept up the sessions until joining her first girls’ team at about 11.

Whilst doing her Level 2 coaching course the tutor recommended her to WSL2 side Oxford United who, much to Kerry’s surprise, signed her up and so she moved from Sunday League football to WSL2.  By this time she was coaching young children, carrying out some council events together with coaching her team, playing football, college and doing her coaching badges, it was all too much so she set aside her coaching aspirations for a while to focus on her football.

From there, Kerry signed for Watford Ladies (also in WSL2) and started another women’s team: the Swindon Supermarines, currently in their second season and doing well.

This season Kerry signed for WSL1 team Reading and is enjoying the season so far.  Kerry told me that Reading put very high focus on their training and fitness which combined with steely determination and their new signings have all contributed to the success they have achieved, and the way they are playing.

These qualities are also to be found in Kerry’s footballing inspiration – Steven Gerrard.  Although, looking back she does regret that she couldn’t think of any female footballing role models – thankfully something that has changed for today’s children.

Added to the support from her family, Kerry feels that she would have benefited from a really motivated coach and that would have helped her self-confidence.  An example cited was being told on attending a football trial – ‘you probably won’t get in so just enjoy yourself’.  Of course she did get in and, as we now know, has made it to the WSL1, the top tier of women’s football in this country.

Kerry would like to be that inspirational, motivational coach to her own students, people often under-estimate the impact that coaches and teachers can have on their students but they really can be the difference.  Of course it is new that football can become a career for girls/women but that is only going to get better as more girls get into not only football but coaching and refereeing.

For the time being Kerry is enjoying combining playing and coaching.

We wish Kerry every success with her UEFA B coaching course and her playing career with Reading and look forward to following both journeys with great interest.

You can follow the Kerry  and her Betfair Fairer Game journey here.