US women’s national football team (USWNT) coach Emma Hayes has teamed up with McDonald’s and Kick It Out in order to mentor select coaches and guide them towards their qualifications. The partnership will also provide monetary rewards to 100 aspiring coaches across England. 

The bursaries will be provided to young people from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds to fund their Introduction to football coaching and UEFA C coaching qualification.

The initiative is part of McDonald’s “Makin’ It” programme, which aims to provide more opportunities for young people in their communities. The bursaries are targeted at the young people who have financial hurdles in their career goals.

Speaking about the team-up with McDonald’s and Kick It Out, Hayes commented:

“Coach education and qualifications are cost prohibitive, yet there’s still this expectation that people should be able to access great grassroots football coaches for free. There are so many amazing volunteers who work tirelessly in football, and I think more needs to be done to invest in developing these leaders and champion them for the wonderful work that they do. Until more is done at an institutional level, subsidies like the McDonald’s Makin it bursary, will be so important to create more qualified coaches, and help aspiring coaches from disadvantaged backgrounds get the support and encouragement they need to continue on in the game.”

Andrew Moys, VP of Impact for McDonald’s UK and Ireland, said:

“Makin’ it is about frontline change – whether that’s youth work embedded into local areas to give young people access to trusted adult support, or funding football coaching bursaries – we are actively trying to open up genuine opportunity in our local communities. Over the last 18 months, we’ve seen first-hand the difference that can be made when young people have access to real opportunity and trusted adult support via our youth work programme, and we’re excited to expand the essence of Makin’ it into football through a new partnership with Kick it Out and Emma Hayes. 

“Better access to tangible, local opportunities like these coaching qualifications and mentorship from Emma, can help drive real change for young people across the country, many of whom might feel their career dreams are out of reach.”