Each month, we will be catching up with different Kent FA team members to find out more about their area of the game.

This month, we caught up with David Webb, Workforce & Participation Lead, to learn more about the important changes and restructures to the coaching pathway.

Becoming a coach or a football volunteer doesn't mean you need to have played the game before or be an expert to make a difference. Coaching can create huge amounts of satisfaction by helping people, of all ages and abilities, to develop and achieve their goals across the grassroots game. People choose to get into coaching for a range of different reasons including:

• A way to give back to the game and local community.
• To be a good role model for young people.
• The opportunity to develop new skills.
• The creation of a strong sense of self-worth, inner happiness, and career satisfaction. 

These reasons can lead to a range of different opportunities within coaching. Whilst most will volunteer within their team to create opportunities for players to play, in some instances this can lead to a career in the profession, through paid opportunities or as part of apprenticeships or studies. Everyone’s path and journey will look different, and coaching across different environments and formats of the game will require different education, awareness, and in some cases qualifications. 

What’s The Current Coaching Pathway? 

Below, is a breakdown of what the current coaching pathway looks like for coaches who wish to progress or develop their learning further.

What Course Should I Complete & What Do I Need To Get On To A Course? 

Play Phase 

This is a FREE online course for coaches aged 16+ providing insight and education on giving children aged four to six the best possible start, in terms of their development and their first steps into football. The course takes approx. 90 minutes to complete. There are no pre-course requirements.

Play Phase on England Football Learning

EE Playmaker Course 

This is a FREE online entry-level course for coaches aged 14+ providing insight and education to coaches who are interested in taking a more active role in grassroots football. The course takes approx. 4-5 hours to complete. There are no pre-course requirements.

EE PLAYMAKER ON ENGLAND FOOTBALL LEARNING

Introduction To Coaching Football (I2CF)

The first recognised coaching qualification.

This online course is priced at £100 for coaches aged 16+ providing insight and education on developing players to help them understand more about the game and fall in love with football. The course takes approx. 4 weeks to complete. 

Pre-Course Requirements: Safeguarding Children Course and Introduction to First Aid in Football.

I2CF On England Football Learning

UEFA C Licence

This course has replaced The FA Level 2 in Coaching Football, it is priced at £500 for coaches aged 16+ providing insight and education on developing skills to help players improve and fall in love with the game. The course takes approx. 16-20 weeks to complete. 

Pre-Course Requirements: Safeguarding Children Course and Introduction to First Aid In Football, Introduction to Coaching Football or FA Level 1 in Coaching Football and must be actively coaching a group of players who train and play in organised or competitive fixtures.

UEFA C ON ENGLAND FOOTBALL LEARNING

UEFA B Licence 

This course is priced at £960 for coaches aged 18+ providing insight and education on developing your players technically, tactically, physically, psychologically, and socially. The course takes approx. 9-12 months to complete. 

Pre-Course Requirements: Safeguarding Children Course, Introduction to First Aid in Football, Introduction to Coaching Football or FA Level 2 in Coaching Football or 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football and must be actively coaching a team in a season long competition in England.

UEFA B ON ENGLAND FOOTBALL LEARNING

Advanced Youth Award 

This course is priced at £3,435 for coaches aged 18+ providing insight and education on supporting coaches who work within the EPPP with youth players in boys’ academy football. 

Pre-Course Requirements: Safeguarding Children Course, Emergency First Aid in Football, UEFA B, The FA Youth Award and actively working in boy’s academy football at a club within the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).

ADVANCED YOUTH AWARD ON ENGLAND FOOTBALL LEARNING

UEFA A Licence

This is the highest practical coaching award available. 

This course is priced at £3,645 for coaches aged 18+ providing insight and education on developing skills to help you support your players' development in the 11v11 environment. The course takes approx. 12 months to complete. 

Pre-Course Requirements: UEFA B (holding the qualification for at least 1 year prior to January 2024) and must be actively coaching or aspiring to coach in the professional game in senior (21+) and/or youth development environments.

UEFA A ON ENGLAND FOOTBALL LEARNING

UEFA Pro Licence 

This course is priced at £9,890 for coaches providing insight and education on developing highly skilled leaders, managers, and coaches capable of creating sustained success. The course takes approx. 18 months to complete. 

Pre-Course Requirements: UEFA A, experience in a full-time position in the professional game or players with a minimum of five years of professional playing experience, whilst the Advanced Youth Award is desirable.

UEFA PRO ON ENGLAND FOOTBALL LEARNING

Other Coaching Qualifications

For further information and pre-course requirements for the Goalkeeping, Futsal, Disability and Talent ID courses, please visit the England Learning Platform.

Who can I contact if I have a question?

After 2020, FA Education took full control of the management, administration, coordination, and allocation of all courses, from County FA’s. This means that County FAs across the country, including Kent, no longer have any control over the above areas with courses. All course or qualification-related questions, queries, or concerns are to be directed to FA Education, who can be contacted at Education@TheFA.com 

What additional learning is available?

County FAs are now responsible for ongoing learning pre, during, and post-courses and qualifications. Kent FA provides high-quality learning and development opportunities for coaches in Kent through online and face-to-face CPD and in-situ mentoring support. To find out more information about our Kent FA Coaches Club, Kent FA Club Coach Mentor Programme, Season-Long CPD Events/Workshop Programme and Kent FA Goalkeeper Coach Mentoring Programme, get in touch with our Workforce & Participation Lead, David Webb at David.Webb@KentFA.com