Coaches urged to cash in on bursaries

EVO-STIK League officials are urging coaches to take advantage of the league’s successful bursary scheme this summer to help them study for their Football Association and UEFA coaching badges.

The Football Association part fund the bursary awards as part of the EVO-STIK League’s on-going initiative to raise standards by supporting the efforts of individual clubs to boost coaching standards. Fifty per cent of the costs of courses are funded for candidates who have up to three years to complete the courses.

Courses took place at a number of venues last season and officials say funding is also available to coaches who’ve already started or booked courses before contacting them. The EVO-STIK League’s Development Officer Mark Ogley administers the bursary scheme and is pictured with Mickleover Sports coach Glenn Kirkwood last season after he received his bursary cheque for £300.

Ogley said: "We are especially looking for members at clubs to do the Level 2 courses with the prospect of them developing through to Uefa B awards. The league have a number of new initiatives with youth football on top of our existing league structure and we are constantly raising the standards of coaching at our level.

"We know from meeting coaching personnel that the possibility of funding sometimes doesn't get through to them all and although it's halfway through the year some may still be able to take advantage of these funds."

More information on the FA Level 2 courses can be accessed through local County FAs with information on the UEFA B courses available on the FA Learning website. For further information club secretaries should contact Mark Ogley via email at: ogsshae@hotmail.com.

Image courtesy of Sarah Middleton