Rehanne Skinner: West Ham's Inspirational Leader Set to Take Women's Super League by Storm

West Ham's head coach, Rehanne Skinner, is determined to uplift the women's team both on and off the field. Having taken over from Paul Konchesky in August, the former Tottenham boss has big ambitions for her new club.

This season, the 43-year-old is determined to improve the club's standing, aiming to move them up from mid-table after finishing eighth last season. Additionally, Skinner intends to enhance the team's influence on the broader women's game.

"We aspire to elevate the club's position. West Ham is a renowned football club," Skinner exclusively expressed to We.

"The team's been in the league for a long time, they've been in and around it in that middle group, right here, right now. We've got a lot of work to put in behind the scenes.

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West Ham and Skinner won their first pre- season friendly 2-1 over Lewes Women

Baroness Karren Brady, Tara Warren, and Nicola Keye joining the club's women's board is a significant and impactful development. Their presence represents a strong commitment by the club to elevate its status in women's football. West Ham's success in their pre-season games includes a remarkable hat-trick scored by France international Viviane Asseyi, leading to a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Bristol City.

Asseyi will be joined up front this season by Emma Harries, who transferred to West Ham from Reading in August.

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England U23's striker Emma Harries joined West Ham from Reading this summer

"The team has the potential to achieve more in terms of the confidence I am aiming to instill in them, encouraging them to be more proactive, and effectively managing possession," Skinner expressed.

"A significant focus has been on nurturing their self-assurance and providing them with the necessary guidance throughout this transformational journey in thinking and playing."

West Ham United will kick off their season by hosting Manchester City on Sunday, October 1. Last season, Gareth Taylor's team narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League due to goal difference.

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West Ham lost both their games to Manchester City in the 2022/23 season

Skinner acknowledged, "In this league, every game poses a challenge. The league is consistently growing stronger, which aligns with everyone's aspirations." Reflecting on being new to the team, Skinner recognized the need for time to establish our desired playing style and to progress the quality of our performance with each game.

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"The journey begins with Manchester City, aiming to enhance their performance during the pre-season and continuously strive for improvement in every game."

Mackenzie Arnold, the goalkeeper for Australia, is an integral member of West Ham and has become an international hero after saving consecutive penalties to secure a victory against France at the Women's World Cup.

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West Ham's goalkeeper, Mackenzie Arnold, showcased her brilliance as part of the Australian team during the Women's World Cup. Skinner, who had the privilege of witnessing Australia play multiple times, remarked on the significant attention Arnold garnered during a penalty shootout. Her remarkable feat of saving two consecutive penalties, amidst the referees ordering retakes, left a lasting impression.

She possesses the necessary qualities to excel on the grandest stage during pivotal moments.

When it comes to her personality, she is a delightful individual who embraces life with an easygoing attitude. However, once she steps onto the field and showcases her skills, she transforms into a highly dedicated and professional player. In the most recent tournament, she not only made herself proud but also earned the admiration of her family and country.

We must give female coaches 'tools' to reach the top

Out of the 32 nations participating, only 12 were led by women coaches. Skinner advocates for unwavering support as the crucial factor in enabling more female coaches to ascend to higher positions.

"It is incredibly challenging to reach the pinnacle of the game and become a manager at the highest level," she remarked.

"The career progression for aspiring coaches is arduous, but our invaluable mentoring system plays a vital role in providing them with opportunities and fostering their development, enabling them to ascend to such esteemed positions and sustain their success."

During my professional journey, I had the privilege of being involved in an impactful mentoring program that greatly benefitted a select group of female coaches who continue to remain active in the field.

To handle the demands of this challenging role, one must possess both the necessary skill set and aptitude to successfully accomplish the tasks at hand.

Enabling female coaches with the necessary tools is crucial for their involvement and long-term presence in the game. This aspect has been lacking intermittently in the past, with inconsistent focus and support. Improving the consistency and strengthening the game's support system is vital.

How to follow the WSL on Sky Sports

Moreover, you can catch the free match highlights of every WSL game this season on We's digital platforms and YouTube channel. Don't worry if you don't have a We package, as all matches will be shown on both We Football and Sky Showcase, making sure the competition reaches a wider audience.

In addition to featuring the league on We's main social media channels, the dedicated Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL will serve as the primary hub for all Barclays FA WSL content on We.

The We WSL TikTok account provides fans with comprehensive coverage of the league, offering exclusive access to their favorite players. Through entertaining challenges, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the diverse personalities of the WSL and gain a fresh perspective on the sport.

Meanwhile, fans can also keep up to date with everything on and off the pitch with the return of Three Players and a Podcast, hosted by Caroline Barker.