Derby County in the Community worker Emily Simpkins has been looking back on her recent life changing coaching trip to Malawi with The Football Association.

The 17-year-old - plus three other teenagers from around the country - outshone over 100 football volunteers at The FA's Young Leaders Camp in Ascot to secure their Malawi place and a chance to teach the game to African children.

"It was an amazing experience and so different to anything that I've ever done before," said Emily, who works for the club's Community scheme.

"It wasn't all about football either. We visited a local orphanage where all the children sung songs to us which was really moving.

"Nothing can prepare you for something like that and it was just like stepping into another world."

The project was part of the Changing Lives Saving Lives programme which aims to educate youngsters in Africa.

The week-long trip saw Emily and her colleagues mentor Malawian teenage girls in the Limbe and Ndirande townships on how to stage their own football coaching festivals for local children.

Emily admits that the language barrier was a problem but she was more than impressed with the local girls' football skills.

"I had eight girls in my group and had to use body language or an interpreter to make myself understood but they were really good footballers," she said.

"I was amazed that everyone played barefooted as well because the ground was really hard with rocks and stones but the local girls didn't seem that bothered by it."

Emily has now returned to work with Derby County and looking to push her own coaching career forward.

She added: "It's great to be back home and working in local schools and I'd really like to progress as a coach now.

"I've got my Level One and Two and the trip to Malawi has given me a lot more experience so I'd love to get my Level Three badge next."