As part of their new four-year strategy to further improve support to coaches and the game, FA Education have taken on full responsibility for delivering all coach education.

This change coincides with improvements FA Education are making to the ways through which coaches can learn. In addition to face-to-face support delivered by the grassroots coach development team and the tutor-learner interactions that underpin many of the courses, new digital learning opportunities are being introduced to give coaches the option to pick and choose learning that interests them and undertake it at a time that suits them.

This modernised offer which utilises digital means in addition to the traditional face to face and pitchside sessions will open up more learning opportunities for coaches and help develop a culture of on-going learning.

Will any existing courses be affected?

The first grassroots courses to be redeveloped and that are now available for booking are:

• The FA Playmaker
• Introduction to Coaching Football
• Safeguarding Children Workshop
• Introduction to First Aid in Football
• Welfare Officer Workshop

We are working with FA Education to support all learners who have started, but have yet to complete one of these qualifications, and will be contacting all relevant learners to highlight their options.

What does this mean for the County FA?

In the short-term we are going to be working with FA Education on the transition of existing learners, but our long-term focus will be on coach development, to supplement FA Education's offering. Our aim will be to ensure our clubs receive the support they need to enable their coaches to provide great sessions for their players.

From next year we’ll also be working with FA Education to deliver an exciting programme of learning opportunities across a range of topics relevant to our coaches and the grassroots game.

Want to continue your learning journey?

In addition to the above offering, although COVID-19 is having a significant impact on our ability to deliver any face-to-face coach education, there remains lots of immediate opportunities to continue your learning journey. The Boot Room is a vital coaching resource and contains a range of different learning resources for coaches to explore; from articles on emerging trends and latest best practice to inspirational interviews, you can also browse FA learning opportunities and find the next step on your coaching journey.

A statement from Kent FA

Kent FA was approved as a registered 1st 4 Sport centre in 2001. We would like to place on record our thanks to tutors, volunteers, clubs, leagues, facilities and staff who have supported a coach education programme we are proud to have delivered throughout the county over the last 20 years

Please visit The FA’s Help Centre for any further queries.

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