League bursary helps Ashton United coach

Ashton United coach Dave Powell has successfully completed his UEFA B Coaching Award thanks to a bursary scheme run by the Evo-Stik NPL.

The scheme – operated by the league’s Coaching Development Officer Mark Ogley – gives coaches within the league the opportunity to gain the qualification, which is the internationally recognised accreditation of a “professional” coach.

Powell is the first candidate who is on the bursary scheme for coaching to have passed the award, with two further coaches (Grant Black of Buxton and Paul Ashton of Trafford) currently studying for the qualification, based at York College.

Five further candidates - Dave Pendleton (North Ferriby United), Martin Haslam, Adam Landstrom (both Nantwich Town), Karl Marginson (FC Utd), Phil Melville (Salford City), are set to start their courses in the upcoming off-season.

The bursary scheme offers a significant discount against the standard cost of taking the UEFA B qualification, and any clubs interested in participating should contact Mark Ogley on 07718827260 or via email on oggshae@hotmail.com