Release Date: 19/01/2012

Under the EEC funded Leonardo project the Irish FA has been able to fund opportunities for local coaches to go on one-week visits to observe coaching in other European countries.

These visits are intended to contribute to the coaches’ personal and professional development, and they should be able to learn new skills and ways of working to bring back to their club in Northern Ireland.  The Irish FA is delighted with the opportunities provided through its links with the Leonardo Scheme and the support it receives from its project managers.

The Irish FA’s project has involved visits to top regions and clubs in France, Spain and Portugal.  The most recent group who travelled to Spain had the opportunity to visit the top Spanish clubs, Villareal and Levante to observe coaching methods from the First Team down to the Grassroots levels, as well as having interviews with club coaches.

The Irish FA will continue with this project and is currently working with the NIBFA in identifying potential candidates for future visits, as the emphasis is on up skilling youth coaches working with our best players at age groups 11-16.

The Irish FA also recognise such visits towards credits for UEFA revalidation of coaching awards whereby UEFA require coaches to undertake Continuous Professional Development in order to keep their ‘B’ and ‘A’ Licences valid.

Nigel Best
Coach Education Manager
Irish Football Association

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