14/07/2026
What a difference 10 months can make... ⚽💖
At 46 years old, I never imagined I'd be taking on a completely new challenge.
Ten months ago, I simply took Jaia to Doxa Pigadakia so she could try football.
While she was settling in, I started kicking a ball around with a couple of girls who were too shy to join in. Somehow, the Technical Director, Andreas, spotted me... and before I knew it, I was being asked to coach.
The funny part? I hadn't played football for over 25 years.
But perhaps this journey really started much earlier...
When I was 11 years old, after repeatedly badgering my PE teacher, Dave Kidd, to start a girls' football team, he believed in me and gave us that opportunity.
Around that same time, I lost my grandad.
He wasn't "just" my grandad. He adopted me when I was two years old and was the father I knew and loved. Losing him at such a young age changed my world.
Football, along with other sport, became my escape, my focus and somewhere I could channel my energy when life felt overwhelming.
So, Dave, if you ever happen to read this, thank you. I don't know if you realised the impact you had on an 11-year-old girl, but you gave me an opportunity at exactly the right time.
Fast forward 35 years...
When the Andreas (technical director) unexpectedly asked me to coach, he once again gave me an opportunity I never saw coming.
I made myself a promise.
If I was going to do it, I was going to do it properly.
Every spare moment became an opportunity to learn. I studied, planned sessions, observed experienced coaches, reflected after every session, asked endless questions and tried to become a little better every single day—much of it in a language that isn't even my own.
It certainly wasn't an easy 10 months.
Along the way I was recovering from a serious right wrist injury while trying to coach when even demonstrating simple techniques was difficult.
Away from football, I was dealing with house renovations, unreliable builders, trying to move home, running my business and, most importantly, raising Jaia without a "village" around me.
Then came another challenge—simply finding a UEFA C course.
Greece wasn't possible.
England wasn't possible because I was coaching in Greece.
Cyprus wasn't possible.
Malta wasn't possible.
Ireland didn't have a suitable course.
It would have been easy to stop looking.
Instead, I kept going.
Eventually... I found the Football Association of Wales (FAW). 🏴❤️
What followed has been one of the most enjoyable, inspiring and rewarding learning experiences of my life.
A heartfelt thank you to Jamie, Dean, Miz, Guy and Kylie. Thank you for creating an environment where every coach felt welcomed, challenged, supported and encouraged to grow.
What I'll remember most wasn't just what I learned—it was how I was treated.
From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with kindness, respect and equality. My thoughts were listened to, my experiences were valued and I genuinely felt that I belonged. After some difficult months outside football, that meant more than I can ever put into words.
To every coach I met from around the world, thank you. It was an honour to learn alongside you all.
One conversation from the course will stay with me for a very long time.
The tutors encouraged me to continue my journey onto the UEFA B Licence, telling me they felt I was exactly what the women's game needs.
Those words were incredibly humbling and have given me even more motivation to keep learning and improving.
Looking back, I realise how much a single opportunity can change a life.
Dave Kidd opened a door for an 11-year-old girl.
Andreas Gouskos opened another door for a 46-year-old mum.
The tutors at the FAW encouraged me to keep walking through the next one.
To every person from the club who has believed in me, encouraged me, challenged me or opened a door along the way—thank you. I'll never take it for granted.
If there's one thing these last 10 months have taught me, it's this...
Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
You're never too old to try something new.
You don't have to have all the answers.
You don't have to have the perfect plan.
You just have to be willing to say yes to an opportunity, work hard, stay humble and never stop learning.
Because one conversation...
One opportunity...
Or one person believing in you...
Can change the direction of your life.
Where there is a will, there is a way!!
The learning continues... ⚽💙🖤🤍
