EMMA Whitlock is the new Head Coach of the Itchen College Women’s Football Academy.
She has stepped up from managing the Second Team, with Zoe Carter coming in as her replacement.
Alongside her work at Itchen, Whitlock plays in the FA Women’s National League (Tier 4) for Southampton Women’s FC.
She has been with the club for four years, having signed from local rivals Southampton FC Women.
During her time as a Siren, Whitlock has won the SDFA Cup and was voted Supporter’s Player of the Season in 2022.
“Playing in the league that we are in at the minute, I think it really does help in terms of the tactical knowledge and passing it onto the [Itchen] girls,” Whitlock said.
The mantle of Itchen Head Coach is one of both great pride and great pressure.
The team were hailed as champions for thirteen consecutive years, from 2008 to 2020.
Whitlock has already lifted trophies for Itchen, back when she was a student and player for them herself.
The gap in recent trophy success has been a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a shift in player recruitment.
The 2023/24 recruitment drive, however, has led to a talent pool of over fifty players.
“We’ve got a really talented group of players at the minute, and I really enjoy working with them.”
Her match-day passion as a player has transcended into her Head Coach role, which saw her receiving a yellow card in their 4-1 win against Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC) alongside Itchen Assistant Coach Glenn Colmer.
Two other cards were shown to the team, including a red, but the team rose above the adversity and Whitlock secured her first three points in charge.
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