Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson is delighted to be reuniting with her childhood coach as she looks to discover what is possible for her off the pitch. 

The Scotland international, who was born in Halifax, is part of Women in Football’s Next Goal programme which sees women’s football players work with a team of expert facilitators to discover what is possible for them in their post-playing careers. 

A mentorship scheme is offered as part of the programme, run in partnership with The Adecco Group and its talent solutions brand LHH, and Hanson has been paired with former Liverpool academy manager Julie Grundy, who coached the 26-year-old at Doncaster Belles. 

“Julie and I worked together previously at Doncaster Belles, I used to be a footballer there and she used to be part of the coaching staff,” Hanson explained. 

“It made me more comfortable knowing that I've got Julie and I know she's working in maybe a job role that maybe I want to be a part of.  

“I know she's worked with a lot of younger players in the academies, and she helped me personally at Doncaster Belles, and I think that's where I blossomed in football.  

“I don't know what I want to do just yet but I think Julie will really help me to produce something.  

“It's really helpful and it's exciting to have someone to discuss because other people never had that when they were younger, and now because of Women in Football, we've got this. 

“It's just amazing to have someone like a mentor to help you take stepping stones further to what you can do after your football career.” 

The 25-year-old is back firing for Villa after a tricky period, scoring in their 2-2 draw with Bristol City and in their Conti Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion. 

Despite wanting to keep her options open, Hanson has expressed an interest in going into coaching. 

She added: “What I've learned is that I think I've always wanted to help younger people, especially in football clubs. 

“I'm always the person who gets to know the younger players, because I think everyone has been a younger player.  

“It's very daunting coming up and I think, with knowing that, I've always wanted to help others.  

“I think that's something I want to use later in a future career.  

“This programme has also allowed me to examine my weaknesses, like my confidence and using that and working on that will help me start coming up with different careers that I didn't think I could be a part of.”