Are you a football coach who has seen your latest UEFA B Diploma application rejected? If so, it’s time to put your disappointment to one side and start working to make your next application a stronger one.
Spaces are limited for the UEFA B Diploma, which represents the third level of coaching badges available to coaches in Europe. It is at this stage that things become more serious, with the course designed for coaches aspiring to work in professional game academies and emerging talent centres.
The UEFA B Diploma opens doors for coaches looking to cross the divide between grassroots and academy football. With places at a premium, an application must stand out to have any chance of being successful.
UEFA B Diploma Course Prerequisites
Coaches hoping to apply for the course must meet several prerequisites. According to the English FA’s website, these are:
- Hold the UEFA C Qualification, or the FA Level 2 in Coaching Football / 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football, and undertake a UEFA C conversion course if your application is successful
- At least 12 months’ experience as either a head coach or assistant coach after achieving UEFA C
- Be actively coaching a team and committed to that team for the duration of the qualification
- Provide evidence of an in-date Introduction to First Aid in Football / The FA Emergency Aid in Football, and an in-date completion certificate for the FA Safeguarding Children Course
- Be coaching players aged 12 or above (or coaching in a boys’ or girls’ professional academy environment)
- Be able to effectively communicate in English (including listening, speaking, reading and writing)
This is the bare minimum required before filling in an application. Coaches will need much more evidence than the above to support their case if they hope to be accepted onto that season’s list of successful applicants.
CPD Hours
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses are essential. These are FA-delivered courses, either online or in person, that cover specific topics. UEFA B qualified coaches must have a minimum of 15 hours of CPD logged over a three-year period to maintain their diploma.
For hopeful applicants, while there is no strict rule, most successful candidates have around 40 hours of CPD logged. Having this level of CPD demonstrates to the panel that the applicant is committed to their development and willing to put in the hard yards, rather than scraping by with the bare minimum.
CPD courses are run through local FAs, so it is worth checking their websites for available sessions. In-person courses usually have a small fee (around £5–£10), while online courses and webinars are generally free for coaches to attend – with each typically worth about two hours of CPD.
Coaches can attend CPD courses regardless of which FA is hosting them. For example, even if your club is affiliated with the Lincolnshire FA, you can still attend sessions hosted by the Liverpool FA.
Experience
Panels will also look for applicants who can demonstrate strong coaching experience. While UEFA B applicants must be actively coaching a competitive team, coaches who go above and beyond will be favoured.
Demonstrating experience outside of your team and/or grassroots club, such as in development centres, will set you apart. Many professional clubs run development centres and programmes that provide pathways for both players and coaches into full academies. Coaches with experience in and around the professional game and academies are often prioritised over those working solely in grassroots football.
Getting this experience can be challenging. When it comes to the UEFA B, it can feel like a vicious cycle – you need academy experience to get onto the course, but often need the UEFA B to gain that academy experience. The best approach is to make contacts, knock on as many doors as possible, and offer your services in any capacity you can. It is worth it when you can include that experience on your application and Football CV.
Perseverance
You will need perseverance in abundance, as it is unlikely you will be accepted onto the course at the first attempt. If you are one of the lucky ones, then congratulations! For everyone else, it is about not getting too disheartened and using the time between applications to strengthen your case and continue your personal development.
Do not forget that, at the UEFA B stage, you will also be up against former professional players who are often fast-tracked to this level.
Courses are few and far between, with spaces highly limited, so an unsuccessful application should not be regarded as a reflection of your ability as a coach.
By Aaron Gratton
