Steph Fairbairn - Turning the tables

Steph Fairbairn joined her first soccer team as an eight-year-old, back in 2001.

Then, the women's game in England trailed behind in participation and attendances - so much so that, in 2006, Steph was part of a double-figure crowd for a top-flight game, chatting in the bar with England players Jill Scott, Fara Williams and Rachel Unitt.

The current landscape is very different. WSL crowds are In the thousands and the
current Lionesses get mobbed wherever they go, thanks to their victory in the Women's Euros last July. Steph was there to see it - along with 87,000 others.

Now, she joins our team on a full-time basis as editor-in-chief, having been our podcast host and a regular contributor.

It is therefore the perfect time to turn the tables - and allow her to discuss her coaching philosophy, learning from others and 'holding the space' for discussions
around young players' mental health…