Laura Harvey, head coach of United States team Seattle Reign FC, has been named Coach of the Year at The FA’s coaching awards at St George’s Park.
The honour capped off a successful night for the former Birmingham and Arsenal Ladies boss, who was also named the Pro Game Female Elite Coach of the Year at the prestigious ceremony hosted by The FA Licensed Coaches’ Club.
Alongside Harvey, 14 more coaches from across grassroots and elite football were recognised for their achievements over the past year, while four new coaching legends were also inducted into The FA’s Hall of Fame.
They include former Manchester United youth team coach Eric Harrison, former England women’s international Sue Lopez, Southampton’s executive director of football, Les Reed, and former coaching director of The FA’s National Football School, Keith Blunt.
Legendary Manchester United youth coach, Eric Harrison, was one of four coaches inducted into The FA Licensed Coaches' Club Hall of Fame
Head of FA Learning and founder of the awards, Jamie Houchen, believes the diverse and wide-ranging set of prizes and nominees make the coaching awards unique as well as celebrating the whole game.
“When we launched the Coaching Awards last year we wanted to get football people from every corner of the game in the room together to celebrate and promote their achievements," said Houchen.
“We wanted to show how everybody involved in coaching plays a part in making English football and English coaching a better place.
“Every footballer, whatever level they progress to play at, begins playing football at school, in a grassroots club, soccer school or community scheme and it is just as important to highlight their achievements as it is to congratulate those working at the top-level of the domestic and international game.”
This year’s event is one Houchen hopes will continue long into the future.
“We were delighted with the response to last year’s inaugural event and believe this year’s awards has built on its success," he added.
“We want the event to get bigger and better every year and continue to have a place in the calendar to celebrate the tireless work of coaches up and down the country.
“Coaching is one of the game’s great untold stories and we are committed to ensuring people hear about it.”
The 2014 FA Licensed Coaches' Club Coaching Awards Winners
Grassroots Mini Soccer Coach of the Year
Graham Parkes, Longfleet Youth FC coach
Grassroots Youth Coach of the Year
Stephen Hale, Slough Town Youth FC coach
Grassroots Adult Coach of the Year
James Marrs, Brighton & Hove Albion Ladies head coach
Grassroots Female Game Coach of the Year
Stef Loucaides, Kingstonian Youth Women's U18s head coach
COACH Coach of the Year
Naomi Reid, Bristol Academy WFC U13s coach
Disability Coach of the Year
Jonathan Pugh, England Blind Squad head coach
Goalkeeper Coach of the Year
Eric Steele, Derby County FC goalkeeper coach
Pro Game Female Development Coach of the Year
Jen Herst, Liverpool Centre of Excellence coach
Pro Game Female Elite Coach of the Year
Laura Harvey, Seattle Reign FC head coach
Pro Game Foundation Phase Coach of the Year
Eamon Mulvey, Manchester United youth coach
Pro Game Development Phase Coach of the Year
Terry Moore, Southampton FC head of youth development phase
Pro Game Professional Phase Coach of the Year
Paul McGuinness, Manchester United U18 coach
Pro Game Senior First Team Coach of the Year
Steve Holland, Chelsea FC assistant first team coach
Outstanding Contribution to Youth Development
Dave Parnaby, Middlesbrough FC academy manager
