The next generation of Scotland’s female coaches has been handed the perfect start to 2019, with the news that the Scottish FA will be one of the beneficiaries of a flagship UEFA initiative.

Europe’s governing body for football will help cover the costs of the UEFA B Licence Course and Scottish FA C Licence Course, following a successful application to the UEFA Coach Development Project for Women by the Scottish FA.

Delivered exclusively for female coaches, the bespoke sessions are designed to aid each coach’s development within the sport. Participants on the Scottish FA C Licence Course receive 40 hours of contact time, whilst those on the UEFA B Licence Course benefit from 120 contact hours.

Two of the Scottish FA’s most high-profile female coaches have also received a boost from UEFA, after it was confirmed that Pauline Hamill and Pauline MacDonald would have the costs of their UEFA Pro Diploma Course covered by the European governing body.

Scotland Women’s Under-19 head coach Hamill successfully completed the course at the end of 2018, with MacDonald (above) – who will lead her Scotland Women’s Under-17 side into UEFA Elite Round action later this year – having started her UEFA Pro Diploma course with the most recent intake of coaches earlier this month

Scottish FA Head of Coach Education and Development Greig Paterson believes that the funding will only help to strengthen the women’s game nationwide.

“This funding has helped us to deliver tailor made courses, which will help us grow our cohort of female coaches actively working in the game,” said Paterson.

“This, in turn, will be further complimented by continuous professional development and other learning opportunities, especially through Scotland’s qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France this summer, as well as our legacy programme following the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championships which we will be hosting later this year.

“We look forward to working with these coaches in these unique settings, and the benefits it will undoubtedly bring to the Scottish game.”

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