These are Upper Austria's only female combat team trainers

LINZ. Anyone interested in football, including those who are only marginally involved in it, will certainly not have missed one thing: the sport is still a male domain. Whether among the referees, the spectators or even the coaches, women are in the minority. Even in Upper Austria’s women’s teams, it is mainly men who are in charge as coaches. But there are exceptions – such as in Nebelberg. The Mühlviertel team is the only team in the women’s Upper Austrian league to rely on a head coach: Paula Kern has been on the sidelines since 2019. “I was asked if I could imagine taking over the women’s fighting team. At first I had doubts, but my husband said to me: Why don’t you do it? It was maybe a little naïve, but I never had it regretted it,” says Kern, who herself spent years chasing after the ball as a player at Kleinmünchen.

She gained her first experiences as a supervisor in the youth sector – as a trainer for her sons Matthias and Philipp. “It was normal for my boys that their mom was a coach. And it’s normal for them now that I’m at the soccer field several times every weekend,” says Kern with a smile. The fascination with football was awakened in her childhood: “I grew up with football, always playing with my brothers. Winning and losing together – I’ve always admired that. As a coach, I especially like working with different characters.” She can be tough when dealing with her players. “I demand just as much from my kickers as I would demand from myself. But perhaps I have more understanding in one situation or another.”

“Don’t want a trainer”

What will also probably never happen is that Kern will take over a men’s team. “I was already offered the reserve role once, but I didn’t do it. I’d rather be with my current team because I can develop more there. I also think that unfortunately there are still some men who don’t like having a woman as a trainer.”

At least until the end of the autumn season, she will set up the Nebelberg women’s team – and will be one of the unique female coaches in Upper Austrian amateur football. She can still only recommend the appeal of the responsibility as a head coach to her colleagues: “I’m afraid that many people don’t have the confidence to do it. You just have to stand up and do it. Hopefully this task will also become more interesting for women in the future.”

At least at the moment Kern is not completely alone: the 1b team from SPG Wallern/Krenglbach is even looked after by a female duo. Verena Buchner and Melanie Hofer give the tactical instructions to the women’s national league team. “As a player, I have been associated with the club for a long time and can also pass on my knowledge as a coach,” says Buchner. LASK 1c also has a trainer in the North/East women’s class. Even a highly successful one: with six wins from six games, Sophia Schwendtner’s team leads the table undefeated.