West Ham’s women’s team has appointed Stephen Healy as the first-team coach, a move that has so far been met with a lot of optimism. Healy will join the staff under head coach Rehanne Skinner.
With a run ahead that sees them play Everton, Arsenal, and Tottenham on the trot, the fixture list will be a good test of whether Healey can hit the ground running. In recent years, the Women’s Super League has been growing in prominence, with many online bookmakers taking notice too. The West Ham women headed into their game against Everton with 23/10 odds according to most sportsbooks listed by Safe Betting Sites, but the game ended a 1-1 draw. It’s a tricky run of fixtures to call so there’s good betting scope for punters while fans will hope they can continue the run with a win next time.
As Healy works to develop the squad, the anticipation for the team’s performances this season has an added edge to it amid takeover rumours for the men’s team.
Despite all the challenges up ahead, Healy has a fine background as he holds a sports science degree and started as a player development officer for the New York Red Bulls. He later returned to the UK to work with Northampton Town as a senior football development officer and later as a Boys Centre of Excellence coach.
From his time with Northampton, he was a regional youth officer with The Football Association for three years. In 2014, he joined Leicester City where he spent ten years as the head coach for the International Academy.
Healy has expressed his happiness about starting his new job at Chadwell Heath and is optimistic about West Ham’s plans for the future. Looking forward to working with Skinner, he was responsible for developing Leicester City’s women’s team and Girls Centre of Excellence from 2003 to 2011. Healy has also played against teams coached by Skinner many times so the two coaches’ tactics will be familiar to each other.
Skinner has been glowing about Healy’s abilities as a coach and the potential the team now has to develop. He has a good record of helping older players improve their game and younger players transition to the main team; skills that make him a good fit to help restore some glory to West Ham’s iconic footballing history amid the many legendary men and women’s teams of the past.
Skinner also mentioned Healy’s passion for women’s football is influenced by his two daughters, one of whom is already playing academy football. As women’s and girls’ football becomes more popular in the UK, Skinner and the team believe Healy’s passion will benefit the team and align well with its plans.
Image Source: unsplash.com