The importance of good, qualified and enthusiastic coaches can not be underestimated.
The provision of training for coaches is an integral part of the Club Accreditation Scheme. It is crucial to the development of young players that all the coaches who work with them hold a recognised FAW / UEFA qualification. The starting point for all coaches in Wales is the FAW Football Leaders Award.
Whether you wish to coach at a top professional club or on a Sunday morning at grassroots level, the Welsh Football Trust can offer courses suitable for your requirements.
Funding for Coaching courses
The Welsh Football Trust recognises that sending coaches on courses to achieve the standards set out in the Club Accreditation Programme introduces funding implications for clubs and has sought to help in a variety of ways.
One possibility is to help clubs with funding through the Sports Council for Wales Community Chest initiative. This grant provides funding of up to £1000 to help develop opportunities for participation in sports across across Wales. It will help clubs applying to the scheme to be successful in their applications if they are committed to the accreditation scheme.
Your local Football Development Officer can help you complete and submit an application form. Let them know if you need assistance when undertaking your audit.
National Coached Association
The National Coaches Association aims to provide support and coaching information to help football coaches in Wales. It is now mandatory for all active football coaches in Wales to be members of the National Coaches Association.
This is achieved by holding a valid FAW coaching qualification and you will also need to comply with FAW welfare regulations, in particular Regulation 6 which explains that all active coaches must undertake an FAW CRB check.
Becoming a member of the National Coached Association
You can do this by attending an FAW Football Leaders Award and completing a National Coaches Association registration form as part of registering for the course.
Alternatively, you can complete the National Coaches Association registration form (download below) and return it to the Welsh Football Trust.
For new and unqualified coaches, the FAW Football Leaders Award is currently £40. For quailified coaches, the Award is initialy free, as long as the National Coaches Association registration form is completed (download from the resources section) and returned to the Welsh Football Trust before the start of the next season.
A membership fee will be applicable to coaches who fall outside these two scenarios.
Membership is valid for three seasons starting from August 31 of the season you attend a valid coach education course.
Benefits of joining the National Coaches Association
Apart from being a recognised, qualified coach, members will receive:
- An FAW identification card
- Access to a web-based coaches forum
- Coaching news and information
- Online kit and equipment purchasing opportunities
For further information download the National Coaches Association FAQ below.