Emma Coates: ‘I’m driven by player development’

There are a number of ways to measure success but for England women’s under-23s head coach Emma Coates, seeing her Young Lionesses making their bow on the big stage sets the benchmark.

“I think it’s been a really successful year for us,” she said, reflecting on the calendar year for the WU23s. “I always assess the success of the team and the age group from how many players are getting closer to the seniors and getting selections.

“The bit that drives me every day is when I see players getting called up to the seniors or we get feedback that they’re going in and doing really well. That’s what makes me think, ‘who in the group is going to be next?’ and ‘how can we get them there?’”

The 33-year-old returned to the Eco-Power Stadium last night as the WU23s took on Sweden. It was a familiar setting for Coates, who coached Doncaster Belles between 2014 and 2017, stepping up as head coach in 2016.

“It's a home from home,” she smiled. “The bit I find really inspiring is there’s a picture of Julie Chipchase on the wall and I like to think Julie is looking down on us. I’ve come a long way, but I’ve come a long way because of the people that have helped me.”

Chipchase sadly passed away in 2021, having spent 15 years with The FA, dedicating herself to raising the profile of the women’s game. And last month, ‘Chippy’, as she was affectionately known, was inducted into the Wall of Fame for Outstanding Contribution to Coaching Excellence at St. George’s Park and now, Coates is hoping to follow in her late friend and mentor’s footsteps.

Tonight, the WU23s head coach will accompany her players to Bramall Lane to see Sarina Wiegman’s side in action against Switzerland.

And they could see Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace – who received their first-ever call-ups to the England women’s senior team last month – make their Lionesses debuts.

“I’m driven by player development and by helping people,” Coates explained. “A lot of people see the call-up but there’s lots of work that goes into getting them to that point.”

“Hopefully it’s a really inspiring moment for the WU23s to see some of their team-mates and some of their friends playing for the seniors. Hopefully it inspires them to go, ‘who’s going to be the next one through?’

And Coates, who was appointed as the new WU23s head coach in February last year, maintains open lines of communication with both Wiegman and the England women’s under-19s in order to serve the players.

“We meet with the seniors weekly,” she said. “We discuss players and the style of play. Sarina is constantly asking for feedback – she’s asking how the games have gone and who has done well. Sarina is really connected to the young players.”

Earlier this year, the Lionesses and the WU23s travelled to Spain on a joint camp, with the Young Lionesses playing two matches in Marbella – an experience which stood out for Coates as the two teams came together.

"The girls have been just the best." ❤️

Grace Clinton on receiving her England legacy cap tonight from U23s head coach Emma Coates: pic.twitter.com/MtBifveHRB

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 25, 2024

In addition, Katie Robinson and Khiara Keating – two players who started the game against Sweden yesterday evening – have also represented the Lionesses, with Robinson making Wiegman’s squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

“Seeing Grace Clinton get her senior cap and the games that we had our there with the WU23s on the camp was certainly a highlight moment for us,” she continued.

“The players also talk a lot to Katie and Khiara about what it’s like at the next level. It gives that next level of inspiration to the wider group and it just shows how connected the pathway is.”