Laura Hefferan, manager of DLR Waves women’s football club and the only female manager in the 2024 League of Ireland, including the Women's Premier Division, has now become one of three women to receive a ‘UEFA Pro Licence'—the highest qualification that can be achieved in coaching—following in the footsteps of Sue Ronan and Eileen Gleeson.
Hefferan is one of 20 coaches, the only female of the newly qualified class, who will formally be awarded this qualification in a ceremony in July. She will be joined by several recognisable players, including former Republic of Ireland internationals Colin Healy, David Meyler, Paul McShane, Sean St. Ledger, and Glenn Whelan, who collectively made 200 senior appearances.
The Wexford native began her League of Ireland career as a player for Wexford Youths W.F.C., and from there she was appointed assistant coach in 2014 and has since focused on elevating her coaching credentials with a range of coaching positions, including a role in Massachusetts, becoming head coach of Wexford, and winning the Senior Women's National League (Ireland) title at the first attempt. As head coach, Laura also won the U17 title with Shelbourne and the U19 title with DLR Waves, making her the only coach to win all 3 levels of women’s football here.
In a league dominated by male managers, Laura Heffernan is treading her own path.
“Five or 10 years ago, I used to let it bother me a bit. But now, it is just something I’m used to. "
Interview with the DLR Waves boss in today's Sunday Independent 👇https://t.co/8trdAm8jD4
— Seán O'Connor (@SeanOCSport) April 21, 2024
Hefferan commented on being one of three women to be awarded the UEFA Pro licence: “I started my journey at a time when female role models in the game were few and far between, but the tide is turning. Sue Ronan and Eileen Gleeson have been a big inspiration for me and showed me that I too could do it. It would be great to see an increase in the level of female coaches in the game, so maybe I can also inspire the next one.”
Marc Canham, FAI Director of Football, said: “Congratulations to Laura Heffernan on being among our other successful candidates with the 2023/24 UEFA Pro Licence, which is the highest qualification that can be achieved in coaching in Europe.
“Coach development is an integral part of continuing to build a football industry in Ireland, and it is important to have more women like Laura advance through the pathway to the elite level. Laura is an example to aspiring female coaches of what can be achieved, and we wish her luck with her coaching journey."
