Aspiring football coaches in Gloucestershire are being given significant cash incentives to further their development and progression around the youth and adult scenes.

As part of a funding agreement with Sport England, the Football Association is backing plans to invest heavily in grassroots coaching through the National Game Strategy 2015-19 via an exciting bursary scheme.

Gloucestershire FA has been granted more than £16,500 in funding to support the delivery of FA Youth Award Modules 1, 2 and 3 coaching courses, as well as  1st4Sport FA Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football.

All of which means anyone wishing to become a coach, or improve their knowledge and skills as an existing one, can make substantial savings on the four-day course fees on offer.

For example, people eager to embark on Youth Module 1 and 2 courses can apply for £50 off the current costs of £115 (Youth Module 1) and £125 (Youth Module 2), while the usual charge to undertake Youth Module 3 sessions of £195 is reduced to just £95.

There’s £100 savings to be made too for those keen to secure their 1st 4 Sport FA Level 2  Certificate in Coaching Football, as the £325 course costs are slashed to £225.

Steve Lilley, a former coach with Bristol City Academy, has been appointed Gloucestershire’s County Coach Developer (CCD) to help deliver part of the coach education programme and support all coaches throughout the county.

Gloucestershire FA Football Development Administrator Sarah Tully enthused: “This is really welcome news for anyone, young or older, male or female, looking to become a coach at youth or adult levels.

“The bursaries have to be allocated by March next year, so we’d advise people to get signed up for courses sooner rather than later, but it’s a great opportunity for people to take advantage of the savings.

“The four-day youth modules have become increasingly popular and we always get good feedback about them, with people saying how beneficial they are with the discussions mixed in with the practical side.

“There are always openings for new coaches to get themselves clued-up and qualified to oversee the development of young footballers, which can be such a rewarding experience for all parties, and it’s great these opportunities have arisen at even more affordable prices than usual.” 

Sarah added: “We’re hoping to attract 24 people to join each of the courses available, although we can have between 18 and 36 for the Level 2 course, but it’s important to note that we as a County FA can only offer these bursaries to individuals or organisations affiliated to Gloucestershire FA.

“People wishing to undertake the Youth Module 3 and FA Level 2 courses also have to apply online via our website (www.gloucestershirefa.com) or by contacting me direct on 01454 615888 (option 1) or via email (Sarah.Tully@GloucestershireFA.com).

“Those looking to do Youth Modules 1 and 2 can also register through our website should they wish to.”