The former Albion and West Ham United midfielder played an integral role in helping to bring through a number of young girls through to the first team, and is very pleased with the set-up that he’s leaving behind.
He said, “It’s amazing to think how quickly the eight years have gone. Lots of things have happened in that time and the women’s and girls’ set up has grown so much.
“It’s great to see the national team doing so well, and women’s and girls’ football as a whole has improved year upon year.
“It’s not all about the football though, it’s about giving the girls who are involved in what was formerly the COE [ Centre of Excellence] and now the RTC, a wonderful experience, regardless of whether they’ve gone on to become professional footballers or not.”
Albion’s RTC has Tier 1 status, the highest possible rating from The FA, and Parris paid tribute to a number of his former colleagues in helping to provide the best-possible support to the next generation of women footballers.
“It’s not just myself, as there were a lot of people involved. Kirsty [Hulland] as the women’s and girls’ general manager had done a lot of work to support our application. I’ve also been lucky enough to work with two brilliant club managers behind me in Kevin Tharme and Emma Mead.
“All that work along with the coaches who have come and gone, was very much a collective task, and one that we’ve done remarkably well.”
Another highlight in his tenure was leading the side as interim manager into the crucial Women’s Premier League Championship play-off final in 2016, and Parris reflected on a memorable day for the club.
“Looking back, it was tough because of the circumstances leading up to it. We had four or five weeks to mould a team heading into one game. The first thing I said to the girls was that I wasn’t going to tinker too much with what we were going to do, and I felt that we had enough to win the game.
“It was a case of motivating the team, and having a bit of fun along the way in what was a crucial game. Thankfully we got the result that we needed to take us into the Super League.”
Attention then turned to the future, and the former Seagulls midfielder says he has no set plans just yet, but is eager to continue his involvement in the game he loves.
“In the last year I have been doing a lot of education for myself. I passed my diploma to become a counsellor, which has been going on for three or four years, and in the last year I’ve been on the LMA football management course diploma as well. With both of those courses finishing, it just puts me in a better state. I felt that maybe it was the right time for me to move on.
“There’s nothing concrete set for me now. The main thing is to take stock of what I’ve done and where I’m going. I’m still lucky enough to be involved in a matchday ambassador role at West Ham, so hopefully I can continue to do that and see what doors open.”