New manager and coaching team aim to raise sights of Rotherham United Women

Pete Jarvis has taken over as first team manager with the intention of fashioning a set-up and a team ready to have a strong push next season.

Jarvis will be assisted by Scott Willis, who is staying on as assistant manager/head of coaching after previous no.1 Tony Palmer had to step down due to work commitments.

Colin Cook is continuing as goalkeeper coach while Brandon McGlave has come in as physio and strength and conditioning coach.

The Women are currently mid-table in the East Midlands Regional Women's League Premier Division.

Jarvis told the Advertiser: “We are at Step 5 on the league pyramid at the moment but I want to take the club as high as we can reasonably reach.

“Obviously finances will dictate that to some extent but there is a good opportunity to grow within the resources we already have.

“There are ways we can get a lot more out of this team going forward. We already have plans to extend our training offering, going from one night a week to two nights a week next season, and bring the first team and reserves and youth teams closer together if we can.”

New team (from left) Brandon McGlave, Pete Jarvis, Colin Cook and Scott Willis.

The Women have been hit by injuries lately and the departure of Amy Pollock, Helen Lynskey and Harriet Houghton to Hull City Ladies.

“We have come in at quite a difficult time in terms of the balance of the squad,” added Pete.

“It has been our priority to recruit new players or even players who have been with us previously or who are in the younger age groups.

“We are mid-table at the moment. We won't be promoted or relegated this season so it is an opportunity to bring in some new faces and lay the groundwork for next season.”

A tutor by day at Loughborough College, the new man at the helm has a good pedigree in women's football.

After coaching university teams during his student days, he had a couple of years working in the men's game in the academies of Nottingham Forest and Notts County.

He was then asked to go in as Nottingham Forest Ladies' first team manager and later worked in their Regional Talent Centre.

He has since coached at Birmingham City's RTC and still works with their U14s part-time.

At the start of the season he helped West Bridgeford Colts build a team from scratch to a squad of over 20 plus players and launched them into Step 7 but wanted challenge of working at a higher level.

He now has that chance at Rotherham.

“It's a good set-up and everybody at the club has been really positive,” added Peter.

“We have some good plans to move the club forward and I am looking forward to the opportunity to go in and start work.”

The team's next scheduled game is at home to Rise Park Ladies at Roundwood on Sunday, February 27 (2pm).