Northern Ireland women’s coach, Tanya Oxtoby, believes that more support is needed for mental health in the women’s game, as reported by The Independent. Over recent years, the women’s game has gained increasing popularity and moved into the mainstream, leading players to face greater pressures such as higher expectations and the challenges of social media.
Drawing on her experience as a government psychologist in Australia, specialising in mental health for young people, Oxtoby acknowledges that while progress has been made in discussing mental health in women’s football, resources for support remain inconsistent across different leagues and clubs in the game.
Oxtoby highlighted the disparity in resources available for mental health support among different leagues and clubs, emphasising the importance of providing adequate support for players, especially with the growing success and pressures in the women’s game. Despite some improvements, she believes there is still work to be done to ensure that support for mental health aligns with the game’s progression.
As the leader of the Northern Ireland team heading into a crucial Euro 2025 qualifying play-off against Croatia, Oxtoby is actively involved in the Chase Football Coaching Programme. This programme aims to offer fully-funded access to coaching qualifications for individuals from low-income backgrounds across the UK, particularly focusing on breaking down barriers for women entering coaching roles.
Oxtoby emphasised the need to create a more inclusive environment in coaching courses, especially for women and those from low-income backgrounds, to encourage more individuals to pursue coaching roles. She highlighted the importance of having more role models in coaching spaces to inspire others to take up coaching opportunities, particularly in female football where coaches may not receive significant financial rewards.
Research has demonstrated that coaching not only benefits mental health but also enhances transferable skills such as teamwork and communication. Oxtoby stressed the positive impact coaching has on mental health and the development of crucial skills like communication, especially in high-pressure coaching environments.
To learn more about the Chase Football Coaching Programme, visit: https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/chase-football-coaching-programme/
In conclusion, Oxtoby’s insights shed light on the ongoing efforts to improve mental health support in women’s football, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues as the game continues to evolve and grow.