Meet Nia Davies. An academy coach at Swansea City, she lives to teach children.
Nia is undertaking the Premier League's Elite Coach Apprenticeship Scheme (ECAS), from which she hopes to graduate later this year.
Through her participation on the scheme, she has developed a range of skills that she feels can benefit not only her, but also the youngsters she works with.
"The ECAS course was great and it's definitely helped my confidence in and out of a work environment," says Nia in the 2017/18 season review, This is Premier League. "It's taught me a lot about building relationships and forming a system to help players develop."
The two-year ECAS course places great emphasis on giving participants an idea of how different organisations are structured. Nia believes this has been of huge benefit.
"We went on visits to Sky Sports, Manchester Velodrome, the SAS in the Brecon Beacons and on an international trip to Holland," she explains. "You can learn so much from different sports and organisations, and that's a massive part of the ECAS philosophy.
"I also spent four really interesting days with the Lawn Tennis Association, which was really helpful because you can take elements of what they do and apply it to the football world. The course has been so beneficial to my coaching."
She was given the opportunity to join ECAS as a result of the Premier League Coach Inclusion and Diversity Scheme initiative.
The programme launched in 2015 and provides opportunities and funding for coaches at Premier League clubs and Category 1, 2 and 3 Academies, while making the coaching landscape in this country more reflective of our diverse society.
Nia thinks the Premier League's commitment to giving more opportunities to BAME and female coaches is a major step forward.
"It's excellent," she enthuses. "I was lucky to have a full-time role with Swansea before I went on ECAS, but I know other women who have got a full-time job as a result of going on the course.
"If you have variety in your coaching staff you cater for all the kids in a different way."
