UEFA coach Development Programme for Women: opening doors across Europe
Montag, 19. Dezember 2022
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Financial support for female coaches aspiring to UEFA coaching licences and making a living from the game.
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As we reflect on a record-breaking year for women's football, there has never been a better time to get involved with the game.
An unforgettable UEFA Women's EURO 2022, coupled with a record-breaking UEFA Women's Champions League campaign, have inspired women and girls all over Europe and beyond – and now, an exciting opportunity awaits prospective coaches looking to make a living from women's football.
The UEFA Coach Development Programme for Women provides a path to obtaining a UEFA-certified coaching licence, whether for those taking their first steps in coaching or for experienced leaders already in the game. By providing financial support and scholarships for candidates throughout Europe, the programme opens the door to ambitious female coaches who want to make their mark on women's football and help us continue to grow the game.
What is the UEFA Coach Development Programme for Women?
European women’s football has enjoyed tremendous development in many areas. Nevertheless, we want to increase the number of UEFA-licensed female coaches working in the game at all levels, from coaching elite club and national teams to inspiring the next generation of girls at grassroots level.
Since 2016, the UEFA Coach Development Programme for Women has offered promising female coaches the perfect opportunity to enhance their skills and experience with a view to pursuing a career in football. The programme does this by providing scholarships and funding to study on UEFA's world-renowned coaching courses (Pro, A, B, C, youth, goalkeeper and futsal), which are delivered via our member national associations across Europe.
Since its launch in 2016, the programme has funded more than 1,250 scholarships, as well as providing courses for coach educators and technical support for coaching courses and workshops.
As part of the coach development programme for women, UEFA also runs a mentoring scheme to help professional female coaches reach their potential.
Launched in 2019, the scheme gives active coaches who hold a UEFA A or Pro licence the possibility and encouragement to move forward in their careers by pairing them with an experienced, high-profile figure from the coaching world.
What do the experts say about the UEFA Coach Development Programme for Women?
We asked some of the top female coaches in the game to share their views.
Austria coach Irene Fuhrmann was the first woman in the country to obtain a UEFA Pro licence, doing so with a scholarship from the programme.
"I’m convinced that the programme represents a great opportunity and offers many women in Europe support on several different levels. It’s not just about financial resources, but also about a great experience and knowledge exchange," she says. " I believe it’s very important to support women while they’re training, because we want to have good female coaches.
"When I think about my time as a player, there were very few female coaches. Back then, you simply couldn’t imagine that a woman’s main job could be coaching. It’s now even more important that women are visible in this profession, that young women are curious about becoming a coach, and that they see what’s possible if you have courage."
Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg believes that female role models are crucial for the next generation of coaches.
"We need to create opportunities for talented women. UEFA is doing that, and this support is incredibly important because it’s extremely holistic," she explains. "You don’t solely do training – you can also grow as a person, as you can exchange ideas with very good people.
"For me, it’s very important that we have good female coaches, good role models in different areas, in different age groups, at different levels, who are also visible and who can show that it is possible."
Lyon coach and reigning UEFA Women's Champions League champion Sonia Bompastor is another advocate for the programme and how it provides a platform for female coaches to step forward.
"As women, we often lack self-confidence, but we now have a programme that really supports us in developing our skills," she says. "The financial aspect is key, because you can really focus on the programme and complete it to the best of your ability."
How can you get involved in the UEFA Coach Development Programme for Women?
For further information and applications to take part in the UEFA Coach Development Programme for Women or the coach mentoring scheme, contact womencoaches@uefa.ch.
The deadline for all applications is 27 January 2023, with courses and workshops kicking off in the first half of the year.
For information relating to specific coaching courses, please contact your national football association.