WSC: What inspired you to coach abroad?
EH: "When I was studying in college, a couple of teachers planted the seed of coaching in the US in my head and it quickly became a dream.
"I chose my university specifically because it included a placement year where I could go and coach abroad, and through university I spent every summer coaching at a camp in America."
WSC: What challenges did you face as a lone female coaching abroad?
EH: "I think being a female coach always leaves you open to being overlooked and underestimated.
"This definitely affected me when I was younger and just starting out, but now I’m older, more experienced and confident it just drives me to prove myself and show that we can be just as good if not better.
“In Malaysia, I've had a few people laugh when I tell them I'm a football coach..."
"Being a female coach in the US is really celebrated, with the women's game being so big there. A lot of parents love to have a positive female role model for their daughters, so in some ways it feels like an advantage, but this has definitely led me to second-guess myself at times, wondering if I would have been given the same opportunities if I was male.
"You also get pigeon-holed – female coaches work with female teams, regardless of their attributes and what fit is best. I love coaching females but I am also now coaching two male teams in Malaysia and loving it.
"In Malaysia, there is a lot less female presence in football. I’ve had a few people laugh when I tell them I’m a football coach, because they are surprised.
"But then they are just excited to talk about football and England, and I think it opens their mind to the idea that females can play and coach as well."
WSC: How long did it take you to adapt to living and coaching in a different country?
EH: "It’s always a challenge to adapt to a new country but I’ve learned that it is really important to build a community and surround yourself with good people.
"When you work every day as part of a close-knit coaching group, it can be easy to rely on that group in your free time, but if you really want to feel part of a community it is important to put yourself out there and meet new people.
"With Malaysia being a majority Muslim country, there are definitely some cultural differences but this isn’t an issue. It’s just important to respect other people’s views and cultures without judgement and be open to learning about their beliefs."
WSC: Tell us about your roles in the US...
EH: "After university, I coached for UK Elite in New York on a nine-month contract, followed by a full-time contract and a three- year visa. I ended up moving to just outside Boston with the same company to work for their club, FCUSA.
"Club soccer is more focused and elite level, with players from different towns trying out to make it onto certain teams. I ended up being given the role as girls’ director for one of the regions, overseeing the girls’ program.
"I had a lot of contact time with the different teams, parents and coaches, as well as the other club directors. This gave me a good understanding of how soccer works in the US, as well as developing my ability to communicate, build a curriculum and deal with all the details involved in a big club, aside from what we do day-to-day on the pitch.
"I was also surrounded by some top coaches who I learned a great deal from and was able to get a lot of valuable experience coaching some really talented teams."
WSC: How did your roles in Asia come about?
EH: "It was a complete accident – I was living on an island during the Covid-19 pandemic and ended up meeting someone who is a social worker with refugees in Kuala Lumpur.
"Throw yourself into it - there are many positives you could never get at home..."
"We came up with a few ideas of setting up a football program for the kids he works with, especially the girls who don’t have many opportunities, and one thing led to another.
"We decided that in order to make a quality program, I would need a full-time job and a visa, so he sent my CV to a contact and within a few days I was in Kuala Lumpur for an interview and was offered the job."