AFC HENLEY
Mini & Junior Soccer Centre
www.afchenley.com
Shelley Strange
Shelley is a highly experienced and well respected member of the local football
community, with over 12 years’ professional and grass-roots coaching experience, and
we are delighted that she continues to lead our Mini and Junior Soccer Centre coaching
team.
Respected for her passion, enthusiasm and dedication, Shelley has spent the majority of
her coaching career at Reading FC. She has a number of sports qualifications, including
FA Level 1, 2 and 3 (UEFA B licence) FA Youth Modules 1, 2 and 3 and is soon to be
undergoing her UEFA A licence.
Shelley has also recently taken up a new role for the FA, as an FA Club mentor which
consists of working closely with grassroots coaches to upskill and improve standards.
She is First Aid trained, has completed child protection training, has an enhanced FA CRB
and is a member of The FA Licensed Coaches Association.
During her career at Reading FC, Shelley has been fortunate enough to work alongside a
number of successful and inspirational coaches, from Community Coaches to Academy
Coaches and 1st team staff, allowing her to continuously improve her knowledge and
understanding of the game.
Shelley also worked within the Reading FC Girls Centre of Excellence for 5 years, many of
whom are representing their respective countries. She has also coached within the boy’s
Academy structure, has represented Reading FC internationally on various occasions and
has been pivotal in the development of a number of grass-roots teams. She made
history when she was appointed 1st team manager at AFC Wallingford, becoming the
first female manager within the Hellenic Premier Division at the tender age of 22.
Of her coaching philosophy Shelley says: “I believe that by setting the correct coaching
environment and structure within my sessions, whilst also setting relevant challenges to
those I coach, I will provide the best learning outcomes for youth players of today. I
always encourage players to experiment within sessions, make their own decisions and
manage their own mistakes. I personally feel this is vital, as players then find what works
for them and what doesn’t, meaning players understand their decisions rather than
playing how others perceive they should. I am committed to continuously developing as
a coach, implementing new ideas and being creative within the coaching sessions I
prepare, meaning I will endeavour to deliver the best possible coaching for your child,
regardless of their ability or experience.”