The Coleman Triplets:
how they started

The 16 year old Coleman triplets, Lisa, Sarah and Rachael, are all footballers, who all play for Newcastle Girls, who all have their level-1 coaching badges, and all study the same course at the same college. Find out more about these unique sisters:

How long have you been involved with football?

Lisa: Since primary school, when we were nine years old. Our brother, who was four years older than us, liked to play the game but needed someone to play with, so he started teaching us!

Sarah: Then there were football teams at school which we got involved in, as our interest grew. And then we really began to enjoy the sport!

Rachael: We used to play hockey and netball too, but we didn't really like them very much!

Did your family encourage your development within the game?

A slight injury does not get in the way of Lisa's coaching!

Sarah: Our dad used to play for Newcastle's academy but an injury forced him out of the game. His interest has rubbed off on us.

Lisa: Dad and mum take us to matches. We have a Newcastle season ticket. They also come and watch us play and train. Our brother is now at university in Northampton so he doesn't come to many games but he does phone up and ask us how it went!

What positions do you play?

Lisa: Sarah is a striker, Rachael is a left-back, and I am a right-winger.

Sarah: I used to play right-wing and Lisa used to be upfront, but at our old club they switched us round and I've been a striker now since I was 13.

(To Sarah) And how many goals did you score last season?

Sarah: About 20-something.

Rachael: It's not a lot compared to other strikers! (laughs)

What is the reaction from the opposition like? Can they, or your team mates, tell you apart?

Lisa: Our team mates can tell the difference off the pitch, but on it, they have to look at our shoes to know which one is which. We all wear different football boots to help them out. We are known as 'Trippy' during the game as some people still aren't sure who is who when calling for the ball.

Rachael: I don't think our coach Rob (Atkin) can tell the difference between us though!

Sarah: As for the opposition, most of them know all about us by now, so it does not really surprise them when they see us, although they sometimes struggle to know which one is which.

Rachael: We don't think we look like each other mind, but we did use to swap seats sometimes in class when we were younger, and that would confuse the teachers.

How often do you train?

Lisa: We have academy training three times a week, Newcastle training twice a week, and then the game on Sunday. We have all just received our Level-1 coaching badge too and take several sessions a week to coach kids.

Bet you can't do this: Rachael Coleman coaching youngsters

So what was involved in getting your coaching badge?

Sarah: We had to do an exam, a first-aid course and then an assessed practical, coaching 5-11 year olds.

Lisa: We are aiming to go for our Level-2 coaching badge next year. The certificates go right up to UEFA-B level. Our coach at Gateshead has got one, and we hope to achieve the same and do this as a career.

Does all this football and coaching not get in the way of your academic education?

Rachael: We divide our time up between the two. We have all just finished our first year at college, studying for a B Tech in Sports Science, and it was part of our course to get the coaching badge, so it never really got in the way as such. It came naturally.

Sarah: And when we saw our coaches at Newcastle, such as Lisa Bell, we realised that we wanted to do that for a living!

The Archives: How they started

Lisa Bell reckons she's got her dream job - she gets paid to play football! But it's not been easy getting there...

Steve Caldwell could have joined Blackburn, but opted for Newcastle because of the quality of coaching staff!

Brian Kerr is one of Sir Bobby's bright young stars at Newcastle United - he says: "the fans are great, they get right behind you..."

Sir Bobby Charlton is an England legend, having amassed more goals for his country than any other Englishman...

Sir Bobby Robson has been involved with football for over 50 years, Find out about his earliest memories on the game...

When Shola Ameobi first started playing for his local club, he couldn't even afford his own boots! Read how he was spotted...

If you had not chosen football, what do you think you would have done for a living?

Rachael: I would have joined the police force, I think.

Sarah: I used to want to be a physio-therapist, but my career advisor put me off. He said I would have to work in an old people's home! If I had not been a coach, I'd have probably tried being a sports-physio.

What do you prefer? Football or coaching?

Lisa: We like them both, but if the football does not work out for whatever reason, then at least we have something to fall back on!

What kind of diet do you undertake to maintain your fitness?

Lisa: We don't eat as much fast food as we used to. We get a gym plan and a diet plan from our fitness coach, with guidelines about what we should or should not eat

Sarah: The night before a match our dad makes us pasta, which you burn off during fitness anyway. Just before kick off we may have a chocolate bar, or a banana, which is good for providing extra energy.

Who are your role models within the game?

Sarah: Alan Shearer, definitely. He's great. As for the women, I'd say Karen Walker (Doncaster Belles).

Lisa: Being a right-winger, I'd have to say David Beckham and Luis Figo. They are class! I also like Karen Walker and Katie Chapman (Fulham Ladies).

Rachael: David Beckham. I think he has a really good attitude towards the game. I'm also a fan of Rachael Yankey (Fulham Ladies).

Can you tell the difference?
(answers below)

Do you follow women's football closely then?

Lisa: Our dad took us down to the women's FA Cup Final in May, to see Fulham play Charlton. It was great. Fulham won it 3-0. They were excellent.

Rachael: We bumped into Marieanne Spacey (Fulham Ladies) after the game so that was really cool.

What do you feel about the expansion of women's football?

Sarah: It's come on loads. When we were ten, there were not many teams to play for, except for the school. These days there are so many teams to choose from for youngsters.

Lisa: It's not a shock anymore to see women playing football. And then you have teams like Fulham and Charlton on the telly in the FA Cup Final! However, while the game is huge in the USA, I don't think it's popularity will ever equal that of the men's game over here.

Rachael: I actually think it may get to be as popular as the men's game in a few years. There is going to be a Premier League set up soon.

What advice would you give to young girls looking to get involved in the game?

Sarah: Girls should go on a coaching course, and keep on working hard.

Rachael: I had a young girl come up to me and ask me how she could get involved, but it's dead simple really because there are so many teams around at the moment, looking to recruit young female footballers!

And finally, what do you like to do in your spare time, away from the football field?

Sarah: We like to go to the cinema with our football mates. Last film we saw was Bruce Almighty, which was pretty funny, and next week we are going to see Charlie's Angels 2. We all love watching Friends too!

Rachael: And I like listening to Eminem. He's cool.

Lisa: So is Avril Lavigne. I think she's brilliant. She rocks!

Sarah Coleman gives advice to a potential young star!