Helen Bleazard, Bournemouth’s inaugural full-time women’s team head coach, will contribute an exclusive weekly column to the Daily Echo as she begins her second campaign overseeing the side in the National League Southern Premier Division.
Supporters can expect the column to appear each Saturday, both in print and digitally, offering reflections on the preceding match, previews of the upcoming Sunday encounter, and additional content.
Bleazard expressed enthusiasm about launching the regular Saturday feature, urging readers to get behind the team.
Her footballing journey commenced with her hometown side Yeovil Town before she transferred to Bristol City upon the conclusion of the 2004/05 season in the FA Women’s Premier League.
During her time at what was then branded Bristol Academy in the WSL, she contributed to the club’s historic first qualification for the Champions League. She also featured in an FA Cup final defeat, with Arsenal prevailing over Bristol.
Her subsequent move took her to Chelsea, where she experienced another FA Cup final disappointment, tasting defeat against Birmingham City following a penalty shootout.
After two campaigns with the Blues, Bleazard returned to Yeovil before joining Plymouth Argyle, eventually arriving at Bournemouth in a combined player-coach capacity.
Throughout her international career, she accumulated 43 appearances for Wales. In her final active season before retirement, she aided Bournemouth’s promotion to the third tier under manager Steve Cuss.
When Cuss elected to reduce his coaching commitments to concentrate fully on the club’s Community Trust programme, Bleazard was hastily appointed to lead the team just before the campaign commenced.
She assumed control and oversaw an impressive beginning to the season in the third division, securing Manager of the Month accolades for both August and December, with the club remaining unbeaten throughout that period following her appointment.
Although results became less consistent as the season progressed, Bleazard guided the side to an impressive third-placed standing and secured the National League Cup during her inaugural term.
She now aims to steer the club toward promotion to the second tier, and Daily Echo readers will receive exclusive coverage throughout the upcoming season.