Coaching career leads to Coningsby success – Karl’s story

Following the huge success of women’s football this summer, we caught up with Sergeant Karl Ross, a football coach for the women’s team at RAF Coningsby, to talk about his love for the sport and how he mentored the team to several victories.

“My love of sport has been with me for as long as I can remember. I have always been big into football, and I am a lifelong Manchester United fan! Having joined the Royal Air Force in 1998, I started my career at Brize Norton after basic training and have since been posted to a variety of Stations including Stafford, Akrotiri, Wittering and most recently, Coningsby.

Helping others get into football has always been a keen interest of mine and at the age of 24, whilst at Stafford, I had the opportunity to achieve my FA Level 1 Coaching certificate. Over the next few years, I was able to put this into practice through coaching the younger generation wherever I was posted.

When I was promoted and posted to RAF Coningsby in 2019, I began coaching their women’s football team, planning and delivering regular training sessions. With standards varying, I keep drills basic but fun and challenging. Warm-ups involve dynamic stretching sessions, giving everyone a football to help them get used to having a ball at their feet. I then move onto a light-hearted passing drill to get them moving around the pitch and having as much fun as possible. At the start of the season, I programme cardio drills to get the players match ready. This often brings out their competitive sides, challenging each other and keeping the sessions entertaining for all.

The team’s achievements this season show how hard they train and the effort that each player puts in. Their triumphs include becoming champions at the Festival of Football, which they lost out on last year in the final, as well as proudly winning the Lincolnshire Services Association Football League having beat RAF Wittering 11-2 in an exhilarating final.

Over the years, the RAF Coningsby women’s team have benefitted on several occasions from RAF Central Fund support for things such as tournaments and equipment. Earlier this year, we were lucky enough to be awarded grant funding for our own goals, something that has been evident in increasing moral as we would previously have to book a pitch outside of the Station due to not having these facilities in place. The team now feel a part of the Station setup and can play at our home ground for the upcoming season. This has been a huge plus for the team and increases our visibility on Station in the hope that player numbers can grow.

I try to give back by playing the Sports Lottery which I signed up for at the start of my career; I have also been lucky enough to win a prize of £2,000!

I still like to play football myself when I can, but ongoing injuries are slowing me down. I have suffered with numerous ankle brakes in my career, hence why I am now performing more of a coaching role so I can still contribute to the sport. On a personal level I have benefitted from Central Fund funding for equipment to help me to coach and play at my best. Recently I was awarded a Sports Grant which enabled me to purchase replacement football boots and ankle supports. This was a great advantage for me as I have spent a small fortune on football kit in the past! In order to support this funding, I try to give back by playing the Sports Lottery which I signed up for at the start of my career; I have also been lucky enough to win a prize of £2,000!

Since being part of the team setup here at Coningsby, I have noticed an increase in the popularity and the numbers that are turning up to training. With the England women’s team doing so well at the Euros this year I anticipate numbers to increase even more, which for me as a coach is great to see. If anyone at the Station wants to get involved with the team, please look up Coningsby Women’s Football on SharePoint and contact the team’s manager: Jennifer.Whatton805@mod.gov.uk. If you’re on another Station, you can search for the Lincolnshire Services Association Football League on SharePoint and look for the team’s contacts link.”

Sgt Karl Ross