The FA’s partnership with The Powerhouse Project marks record growth with largest ever cohort of aspiring female coaches

A record 44 women will join the UEFA B Prep Programme in 2026, as The FA’s partnership with The Powerhouse Project, supported by Nike, reaches its fifth year of supporting the next generation of female coaches.

Launched in 2022 as The Powerhouse Project’s inaugural coaching programme, the UEFA B Prep Programme has already helped more than 60 women develop their coaching skills and gain invaluable experience within the game. The programme’s growth follows last year’s nationwide expansion, which opened opportunities beyond London and the South to ensure more women across the country can access top-level coaching education.

Designed to bridge the gap between grassroots football and the elite game, the four-month programme includes on-pitch coaching sessions, technical and tactical learning, theory-based classroom sessions and masterclasses delivered by elite female guest coaches. Each coach is also paired with an FA Coach Developer, providing ongoing support throughout the programme and beyond, including help to secure placements in the game.

Clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Birmingham City are supporting the partnership, offering access to high-quality training environments, opportunities to engage directly with club staff, and internship and placement opportunities for programme graduates.

Successful alumni who apply are awarded a fully funded place on the UEFA B Diploma, reinforcing the shared commitment between The FA, Nike and The Powerhouse Project to reducing barriers and expanding opportunities for female coaches.

Many graduates of the programme have followed this pathway, including Roya Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy, who joined the first cohort of the UEFA B Prep Programme. Roya was then supported through her UEFA B Diploma and helped to secure an internship with Chelsea, where she now works as the U16s head coach in the women’s academy. She has also become the first alumni to be accepted onto a UEFA A Diploma course, where she will continue to advance her coaching practice.

Roya Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy said: “The UEFA B Prep Programme is all about empowering female coaches in the game. The programme and the team’s support have allowed me to successfully become a UEFA B Diploma coach, now working towards my UEFA A Diploma. But most importantly, it has created a network of women who genuinely care about helping each other grow.”

Dan Clements, Head of Coach Development at The FA, said: “This programme is about more than just qualifications. It’s about removing barriers and building clear, sustainable pathways for women in coaching, while bridging the gap between the grassroots and the elite side of the game. The growth of the programme, and the success stories we’re now seeing, show the real difference this ongoing and tailored learning approach can make. We’re proud to work with The Powerhouse Project and Nike to ensure more women from all backgrounds are empowered to thrive in their coaching journeys.”