On completing the course, James said; "I found the course really engaging and practical. It gave me the chance to reflect on my coaching, learn from other coaches and the coach developers, and apply ideas straight away in my sessions. The mix of theory, discussion and on-pitch work made it really valuable.

It also felt much more practical than theoretical. As coaches we supported each other by acting as players in each other’s practices, which meant I got to play a lot of football and pick up ideas from other coaches. On top of that, the feedback from the coach developers after each session was useful and helped me think about how I can continue improving my coaching."

The UEFA C Diploma is the next step in the coaching pathway after the Introduction to Coaching. The course focuses on developing "how to coach”; with a focus on enhancing coaching skills, structuring training sessions for player development, and promoting positive, inclusive environments, with the ultimate aim of helping coaches improve individual players and team performance. The course takes approximately 60 hours in total to complete through a combination of guided, interactive learning and practical experience.
 
On applying what he'd learned, James said: "My biggest takeaway is being more player-focused in my coaching. Creating sessions where players are making decisions, solving problems, and learning through the game rather than just being told what to do. I’ve also taken away better session planning and making clearer and different types of coaching interventions when needed. I really challenge myself to ensure that each practice I put on is linked to the learning objectives what we have set."
 
Finally, I asked James what he'd say to anyone thinking of doing UEFA C or for whom it’s the next step?
"I’d definitely recommend it. It challenges the way you think about coaching and gives you practical tools you can use straight away for preparation, training delivery and match day. It’s also a great opportunity to learn from other coaches and share experiences, which really helps your development".

Club Chair James Skinner said: “As a club we are committed to creating a safe and positive environment for our players so they enjoy playing football and also have opportunity to improve, so they can be the best version of themselves. By completing the UEFA C course, James has shown his commitment to improving as a coach and to the development of his players”.

All of Pride Park’s coaches are encouraged and supported to engage in a mix of learning opportunities, including CPD events, published articles and research, numerous resources online including those provided by the FA through England Football Learning, listening to coaching podcasts, observing other coaches, mentoring and coach qualifications - such as the Introduction to Coaching, and the UEFA C and UEFA B Diplomas. “It’s probably fair to say that the majority of players and parents don’t realise how much of their time coaches give to coaching - it’s not just what everyone sees for an hour at training and on matchday!”