Alice McDonagh

Football in the Community Coach at Aston Villa

Being a Team Leader

I found out about Team Leaders through the Youth Leadership and Volunteering Community page on the England Football website. I became a team leader because I enjoy supporting others and bringing people together. I like helping a team work well and seeing people grow in confidence. For me, leadership is about creating a positive environment where everyone feels valued. Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about listening and ensuring everyone feels empowered to have a say.

Since starting as a Team Leader, I’ve learnt how important it is to adapt to different people and situations. I’ve started to build confidence in leading and supporting others, and I look forward to putting what I’ve learned into practice.

Quick Fire Questions

If you could ask any athlete one question, who would it be and what?

I’d ask Steph Houghton how she handled the transition from being England captain to stepping away from the squad. She led the team for years, and I’d love to know how she adapted to that change and stayed motivated in her career afterwards.

Who is your role model and why?

One of my role models is my old coach at grassroots football. He always believed in me and gave me opportunities to grow, whether that was in playing, coaching, or leadership. He showed me the importance of supporting others and creating an environment where people feel valued, which is something I try to do myself.