Breaking Barriers: The Personal Life Behind Beverly Priestman

Here’s the story of Beverly Priestman, a small-town girl from Consett, England, who grew up playing soccer alongside boys on the local streets. As a young girl, she had dreams of playing the sport she loved, but opportunities for women in soccer were scarce in her hometown. So, Beverly set out on a journey beyond Consett, driven by sheer determination and an unshakable passion for the game. Through years of hard work and perseverance, she rose to become an award-winning coach, leading the Canadian national soccer team to remarkable victories on the international stage.

This article takes you through the inspiring life of Beverly Priestman, a soccer legend and the beloved daughter of Helen and Collin Priestman. Her story goes far beyond the pitch—it’s one of leadership, resilience, and personal growth. Beverly’s journey wasn’t just about breaking into soccer; it was about breaking barriers, redefining what’s possible for women in the sport, and setting new standards as both a coach and a leader.

With her family—wife Emma Humphries and son Jack—by her side, Beverly’s life story is one of triumph, not only in her professional accomplishments but in her personal milestones as well. From small-town beginnings to becoming a visionary in soccer, Beverly Priestman’s legacy is one of breaking the mould, paving the way for future generations, and proving that with grit and heart, you can achieve greatness on your own terms.

Beverly Priestman Childhood Story:

For Biography starters, the female English coach is fondly called Bev by everyone, and her full name is Beverly Priestman. The female soccer coach was born on 29th April 1986 to her Mother, Helen Priestman, and Father, Collin Priestman, in Consett, England.

It is widely unknown if Beverly Priestman has any siblings. Regardless, she was born into Helen Priestman’s and Collin Priestman’s marital union.

Let’s introduce you to the parents of the Canadian Women’s national team head coach. Collin Priestman and Helen Priestman showed us that despite having a blue-collar job, parents must not hesitate to provide for their children.

Growing-Up Years:

Beverly Priestman grew up in a small but vibrant town with her parents in Consett, Durham County, England. Her parents were blue-collar job workers and imbibed discipline and hard work in their daughter.

The number of siblings she has is currently unknown. However, she shared a close relationship with her parents.

Growing up, the English coach enjoyed playing soccer in the streets of Consett with boys, and she continues to relish these beautiful memories.

Beverly Priestman started kicking the ball from a very young age. It is said that the English coach was so young that no one could say exactly when she started kicking the football.

Bev was a happy, confident and active child growing up. She would always replicate football tricks and moves she learned playing with the boys in her neighbourhood. She didn’t let their size or gender stop her from competing against them.

Therefore, it is not a thing of surprise to see her excel in a career path that is dominated by men.

In addition, her parents, Collin Priestman and Helen Priestman, provided for her needs despite working blue-collar jobs.

Beverly Priestman’s Early Life:

Beverly Priestman fell in love with the game of soccer from a tender age. But she didn’t know her love for this sport would lead her to become one of the few female coaches worldwide.

Although she did not come from a long line of football players, she always loved and played football. Her parents understood the importance of harnessing and supporting this talent. So, they enrolled her in soccer teams to ensure their daughter received the best.

Beverly Priestman also had idols she admired. One of them is John Herdman, the current Canadian Men’s Team coach. They met when she was enrolled in the Castleside Primary School Soccer Team, where she was the only girl.

We believe this was what drew Beverly Priestman to John Herdman. John became her coach at 12 and has not stopped providing her with valuable advice.

Beverly Priestman affirmed she was a half-decent player and knew she wouldn’t pursue a career in soccer. She said, “I was more of a street football player”, but this did not deter her from loving the soccer game.

Fortunately, she had John Herdman, who was one of the persons who advised her to consider a career in soccer coaching.

Beverly Priestman’s Wife – Emma Humphries:

The English female coach is married to the former New Zealand midfielder Emma Humphries.

About Emma Humphries:

Beverly Priestman’s wife was born on the 14th of June 1986 in Wellington, New Zealand. Emma is a year younger than Bev.

She started as a footballer and had a soccer career between 2004 to 2008. Emma’s coaching career started in 2021 when she was appointed director of women’s football development at Vancouver Whitecaps. Now, she works as a Canadian youth coach.

They met in New Zealand, where Emma worked as the technical director for the New Zealand football team between 2009-2013. Soon after, Bev moved to Canada, and they decided to maintain a long-distance relationship.

It didn’t take long for them to reunite as Emma got a job with the Vancouver Whitecaps. At this point, Bev was serving as the assistant coach to John Herdman, who was coaching the women’s national team.

In 2018, Beverly Priestman and her wife, Emma Humphries, welcomed their Son Jack into this world.  Research more about the girlfriend/boyfriend’s family, parents, and siblings:

Beverly Priestman Wedding:

While there are stipulations as to the number of years Emma and Bev dated, we have reasons to believe that it falls between 2012 to 2016 when they got married. The romantic partners tied the knot in a private wedding ceremony on the 10th of September, 2016. Here is a picture of them having fun on their special day.

Children:

Beverly Priestman has a son named Jack, who was born in Canada in May 2018. The little angel seems to love sports, as there are pictures of him either swimming, playing football or watching a soccer game.

If you go on Bev’s Instagram page, it won’t take long before you notice the handsome Jack, and she spares no expense in flaunting her love for her son and wife to the world.

In December 2021, Jack was diagnosed with Autism, and Beverly Priestman continues to go to great lengths to raise awareness for parents with children with similar diagnoses.

Beverly Priestman Family Background:

Collin Priestman and his wife, Helen Priestman, are middle-class parents who love their daughter. The English Coach picked up her love for soccer by watching boys in her neighbourhood play football.

Beverly Priestman’s parents are not wealthy individuals. They worked blue-collar jobs and lived in a relatively moderate house in a small town.

Their religious beliefs are unknown, but they did not hold back in raising their child to appreciate hard work and be disciplined.

In Consett, small businesses are rampant and blue-collar jobs are what the residents of this small town do. This is why we are certain her father, Collin Priestman and mother, Helen Priestman, had blue-collar jobs to help make ends meet.

Their personality and way of life are unknown, but living in a small town like Consett makes you a simple person with an aversion to the loud and noisy part of life.

Although Collin Priestman and Helen Priestman’s income status is unknown, they provided for their daughter’s needs. Family is a bond of love that grows stronger with each passing moment. We believe Collin Priestman and Helen Priestman instilled this virtue in their daughter.

About Beverly Priestman’s Father:

Collin Priestman, Bev’s father, played an important role in her life as a daughter by providing her with love, support, and guidance. As a father, he likely served as a role model and provided her with valuable life lessons that have helped shape her into the successful coach and leader she is today.

About Beverly Priestman’s Mother:

Helen Priestman must have played an important role in her daughter’s life, shaping her into who she is today. As a mother, Helen likely fulfilled many roles, including caregiver, mentor, teacher, and friend, providing Beverly with the support and guidance she needed to navigate life’s challenges.

About Beverly Priestman’s Siblings:

While it is unknown if the English coach has any siblings, she often talks about her wife and son, suggesting that her family is a source of great joy and love for her. Siblings can be integral to one’s family, providing lifelong support, companionship, and memories that last a lifetime.

Beverly Priestman Family Origin:

The parents of the English Coach are from Consett, Durham County, England. Both Collin Priestman and Helen Priestman come from English heritage.

Beverly Priestman was born in Consett, England, where she grew up, making her an English woman.

Interestingly, Consett was one of the prominent steel-making towns until the 12th of September 1980, when every steelwork was shut down.

Beverly Priestman Ethnicity:

The female Canadian coach has an English heritage. According to moving2canada.com, 2% of the Canadian populace is British-born. This is approximately over 600,000 people.

Officially, Beverly Priestman speaks English, but is yet to disclose if she speaks other languages.

Beverly Priestman Education:

The female English coach attended Castleside Primary School as a young child. This school is at 56 Moorland Crescent, Consett, Durham, UK.

While in school, Beverly Priestman played as the only girl in her school soccer team. She later admitted she was not good at soccer and only had street soccer skills. Luckily for her, John Herdman, who started coaching her at age 12, took an interest in her and would later advise her to take up a career in soccer coaching.

After high school graduation, she was accepted into Liverpool John Moores University. Her sporting activities while in university are unknown, but she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Science and Football.

The University was founded in 1823 in the city of Liverpool, England. Other notable alumni include Rachel Brown and Christy Holly.

Career Buildup:

Despite loving where she grew up, Beverly Priestman knew the small town of Consett would be unable to give her the life she imagined for herself.

Her story is that of a young girl who wanted more from life and knew she needed to leave her beloved but small town, which she did.

Beverly Priestman confessed she didn’t see herself pursuing a career as a professional soccer player. She pursued a career as a soccer coach and was hell-bent on ensuring she was the best.

Beverly Priestman Biography – Soccer Coach Story:

The humble English coach loved the game of soccer from a young age, but her coaching career started when she realized that pursuing a career in soccer wasn’t in the cards for her.

She grew up playing football with boys her age or older in the streets of Consett and would try to replicate whatever soccer trick she learnt.

She credits the English Manager, John Herdman, with her decision to pursue a career as a soccer coach.

John started coaching Rose Lavelle at 12, making the practice periods memorable for Bev and the other kids.

His interest in her grew when he found out she was the only girl in the school’s soccer team, and from there, they bonded.

She later enrolled in Futsal under John Herdman at age 12. Futsal is an indoor football-based sport played on a hard court like a basketball court. The whole court is usually smaller than that of a football pitch.

Interestingly, John Herdman has also coached the likes of Christine Sinclair and Karina LeBlanc.

Collin Priestman and Helen Priestman also ensured they provided their daughter with all her needed support.

Road to Fame Story:

The English football coach took the advice of her mentor, John Herdman, and began her journey to becoming a prominent football coach in 2008.

That same year, she joined Sunderland AFC and quickly rose to become the head coach of the Women’s Super League (WSL) side, Durham Women FC, in 2014.

As a coach, Priestman faced several challenges, including the constant need to adapt to changing circumstances and the pressure to produce positive results.
However, she remained committed to her passion for football and overcame these challenges with perseverance and determination.

Her efforts paid off when she moved to Canada in 2017 to work as an assistant coach for the Canadian Women’s National Team under John Herdman. During her time as an assistant coach, the team achieved significant success.

In 2020, Priestman was appointed the head coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team, making her the first woman to hold the position.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the sporting world, she navigated the challenges. She led her team to several important victories, including a win over the US Women’s National Team in the SheBelieves Cup in 2021.

Beverly Priestman Bio – Rise to Fame Story:

As a coach, she is known for her tactical knowledge and ability to communicate effectively with her players. Bev believes in building strong relationships with her players and creating a positive team environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

Her coaching journey began in 2008 when she joined Sunderland AFC’s Regional Talent Club as a youth coach.
In 2014, her coaching abilities were recognized, and she was appointed head coach of the Women’s Super League (WSL) side Durham Women FC.

During her time at Durham Women FC, Priestman led the team to numerous victories and helped them secure a top-half finish in their first season in the WSL 2. Under her guidance, the team reached the FA Cup and the Continental Cup quarter-finals.

In 2017, Priestman moved to Canada as an assistant coach for the Canadian Women’s National Team under John Herdman. With her help, the team achieved remarkable success, including a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a silver medal at the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship.

In 2018, Priestman was appointed the head coach of England’s Under-18 Women’s National Team. Under her leadership, the team succeeded in several international competitions, including a second-place finish in the Nordic Tournament.

Priestman’s biggest achievement came in 2020 when she was appointed the head coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team. She led the team to several crucial victories, including a 1-0 win over the US Women’s National Team in the SheBelieves Cup in 2021.

Priestman’s ability to inspire and motivate her players, combined with her strategic vision and tactical expertise, have helped her achieve remarkable success at every level of coaching.

Personal Life:

Beverly Priestman is a well-known figure in soccer as the current head coach of the Canadian women’s national team. But outside the field, she leads a fulfilling personal life with her wife, Emma Humphries, and son, Jack.

As a Taurus, Beverly embodies many personality traits associated with this zodiac sign. She is known for her practicality and down-to-earth nature, which likely contributes to her warm and welcoming personality.

Despite her success and achievements, her ability to remain grounded and humble is a testament to her strong Taurus roots.

Beverly’s strong work ethic is one of the most prominent Taurus traits. This is evident in her coaching style, and commitment to helping her players reach their full potential.

But while Beverly is a dedicated and hardworking coach, she also knows the importance of enjoying simple pleasures. Her love of spending time with her family, especially on beach vacations, is a testament to her desire to create meaningful memories with those closest to her.

Lifestyle:

For Beverly Priestman, coaching is a way of life, but whenever she is not actively committed to training her team to be the best, there are other activities she indulges in. Bev understands the importance of prioritizing her health and well-being to maintain the energy and focus she needs.

So, she indulges in healthy eating habits. She has a strict diet she follows but occasionally takes breaks whenever she is with her family. Bev also ensures she gets sufficient rest and recovery when not in the field. Coaching can be mentally and physically taxing, but looking at Bev. You can tell she has learnt from experience to prioritize rest.

Spending quality time with her family is an activity she enjoys doing, as it helps her relax and reset.

Her wife, Emma Humphries, once commented on Beverly Priestman’s time management skills. Her ability to switch off from work when she walks into their home ensures she doesn’t bring work-related stuff home.

That way, she gets to focus on her family. That is a skill worthy of emulation.

The talented English football coach is not someone who splurges on unnecessary expenses. She has a modest lifestyle and enjoys the simple things of life.

We can attribute this to her place of birth, Consett. Natives from this small town focus more on life’s simple yet priceless things, like family time.

Ultimately, the English coach understands the significance of prioritizing physical and mental health, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and engaging in lifelong learning are all essential for success in this challenging and rewarding role.

Beverly Priestman’s Car:

While the specific car she drives is unknown, it’s safe to assume that she would prioritize reliability, comfort, and safety over flashy or extravagant features.

Beverly is known for her practicality and down-to-earth nature, which likely influences her car preferences. She understands the importance of making wise investments that can provide long-term benefits for her family rather than indulging in short-term pleasures or extravagances.

Given her love of family vacations and beach outings, Beverly may also value a car that can handle long trips and provide ample storage space for beach gear and other essentials. Whether it’s a spacious SUV or a reliable minivan, she would likely choose a car that can support her family’s needs and provide a comfortable ride for everyone.

Untold Facts:

In the concluding section of Beverly Priestman’s Biography,  we will reveal lesser-known facts about her, delving deeper into her story. So, without any more delay, let’s embark on this enlightening journey.

Beverly Priestman Salary:

The Canadian women’s team coach earns an estimated $42,900 annually, a typical range for head coaches in Canada. As an accomplished coach, she earns a competitive income reflecting her field expertise and experience. Salaries can vary based on a coaching level, team or organization, and overall sports demand. Nevertheless, Beverly Priestman’s earnings demonstrate her dedication and success in her coaching career.

How Rich is the female English coach:

When it comes to Beverly Priestman’s net worth it’s estimated to be around $100,000. However, she prefers to keep her salary and net worth under wraps. Given her prosperous coaching career, it’s quite possible that she’s managed to bank a significant amount of money, allowing her to enjoy a well-balanced lifestyle.

Beverly Priestman Religion:

Her birth country and where her ancestry comes from, England, is overwhelmingly Christian. Beverly Priestman’s parents raised her to believe in God.

EndNote:

Born on April 29th, 1986, in Consett, Durham, England, Beverly Priestman is an esteemed head coach for the Canadian women’s national team.

Hailing from a small town known for its predominantly blue-collar jobs, her parents, Collin and Helen Priestman, provided the foundation of love and support that shaped her into the remarkable coach she is today.

Beverly Priestman had a deep passion for football from a young age, often joining in spirited street football matches with the boys in her neighbourhood.

This early love for the sport led her to pursue her dreams further as she enrolled in futsal under the guidance of renowned coach John Herdman.

After attending Castleside Primary School, she graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a bachelor’s in Science and Football.

Beverly Priestman’s coaching career took off in 2014 when she assumed the head coach role for the Women’s Super League (WSL) side, Durham Women FC. Her skills and leadership abilities quickly became apparent, propelling her to new heights.

In a historic moment in 2020, Priestman shattered glass ceilings by being appointed as the head coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team. Not only did this achievement mark a significant milestone in her career, but it also made her the first woman to hold such an admirable position.

Outside of her demanding coaching duties, Beverly Priestman cherishes her precious moments with her family. She deeply values quality time with her wife, Emma Humphries, and their son, Jack.

Bev enjoys going on vacations and relaxing on the beach. These vacations provide a well-deserved rest from coaching, allowing Beverly to rejuvenate and reconnect with her family.

Appreciation Note:

We sincerely appreciate you dedicating your time to read the story of Beverly Priestman. We care about accuracy and fairness in the constant routine of delivering European coaching stories. Beverly Priestman’s Bio is part of our collection of female coaching stories.

Aside from Beverly Priestman’s Bio, we’ve got other great Childhood Stories for your reading pleasure. The life stories of Margaret Purce and Catarina Macario will interest you.

Kindly contact us via comments if you notice anything that doesn’t look right in this memoir of the phenomenal female coach. Also, please tell us what you think about the career of the Canadian women’s national team head coach and the impressive article we’ve made about her.