How Katie Rowson hopes her experience will help Chesterfield FC Women achieve success

Rowson is hugely experienced having previously managed Watford Ladies and Doncaster Rovers Belles.

“I really think with my experience, a 20-year-career across lots of different formats of the game, the whole player pathway, hopefully I can be there and be that support mechanism for individual coaches,” she said.

“I only ever put myself forward for projects if I feel I can have an impact. I really believe my impact is around being able to help and support the coaches.

“We’ve all been in a situation where we are coaching and we think we are doing the right thing but we always get that support. The club are really big on that and that’s why this role has come about.”

She added: “I really feel that the impact of being able to go: 'How do we want to play as a first team? What does that mean for an under-11 player? Therefore, what does that mean for a coach of an under-11 player?' I’m really hoping that I can bring that influence and that experience of working at all levels of the game, and that higher level. Also that knowledge of communication and language to really help the coaches, I think that’s what it’s all about."

Rowson also said that next season is all about mentoring, development, discussions and sharing ideas with the coaching staff.

"I’ve already got a very good relationship with Mike Noon (first team manager), we’re already having the zoom calls with the tactic boards out,” she said.

"It is 100 per cent his team and I’m there to support the coaches through the academy and make sure it’s aligned with the first team.

“I’ve absolutely no doubt that the first team will have a great season like they did last year, obviously it was cut short and not able to finish but I’m going to be there to support them through that progression and let’s see where we get to.”