Continuous Coach Development (CCD)

What is Continuous Coach Development?

The Scottish FA will support the ongoing development of our coaches through our CCD programme. Continuous Coach Development (CCD)will enable all coaches at Level 1  of the Coach Education Pathway to ensure the validity of their coach education certificate award* is maintained.

*Award = any Scottish FA coach education Introduction/certificate/Award/course at Level 1 on the coach education pathway.

Why is CCD important?

In most industries, the completion of continuous professional development is important because it ensures that you continue to be competent in your field of study/work. In football, the completion of attendance at CCD events and further relevant coach education courses is an ongoing process and will therefore enhance the competence of our coaches, as well as their own career in coaching. This will help ensure that all coaches maintain, or even improve, the knowledge and skills required to deliver the best possible professional service to your players. Completing CCD will mean that you and your coaching knowledge stay up-to-date, and you are informed of the latest trends within the game.

What courses require CCD in order to keep them valid?

Main Youth/Adult Pathway

• Introduction to Coaching
• Youth/Adult Coaching Certificate
• Youth/Adult Coaching Award

Children's Pathway

• Introduction to Coaching
• Children's Coaching Certificate
• Children's Coaching Award

Goalkeeping Pathway

• Introduction to Coaching
• Goalkeeping Coaching Certificate
• Goalkeeping Coaching Award

Futsal Pathway

• Futsal Coaching Certificate
• Futsal Coaching Award

Talent ID Pathway

• Introduction to Talent ID
• Talent ID Certificate
• Talent ID Award
• Talent ID Licence 

What contributes towards CCD accreditation?

The following Scottish FA courses, events or coach education workshops will count towards CCD accreditation and therefore contribute to maintaining your Scottish FA Coach Education Award.

• Player Pathway Workshops**
• Regional CCD Workshops**
• Referee Awareness Course
• Para inclusive Awareness Course
• Early Years*
• Coaching Para Footballers Course
• National Sports First Aid Course (Delivered by Hampden Sports Clinic)

*These courses are also subject to CCD accreditation and revalidation, so must be maintained in their own right.

**These workshops are organised by the Scottish FA Regional Teams. Geographical availability will be taken into account when planning and delivering these coach development opportunities. Please contact your regional office for further information.

Please note that The Child Wellbeing and Mental Heath in Scottish Football E-Learning Modules are not included as a course that will trigger your CCD accreditation. This must be completed in its own right, and kept valid every 3 years.

CCD FAQs

When does CCD take effect?

Scottish FA certificated courses carry a 3-year validity period.

How do I enrol for CCD?

On completion of a Scottish FA Coach Education course, you will be automatically enrolled onto the CCD programme.

What is expected of me to maintain the validity of my coach education awards?

To maintain the validity of your Scottish FA Coach Education Introduction to Coaching you will have to progress up the pathway, and complete a Youth/Adult Children's, Goalkeeping or Futsal Certificate Course, within three years as follows.

• Introduction to Coaching: progress to any Coaching Certificate Level course.

Once you have completed a Certificate, Award or Level 2 Licence course, you will be able to maintain this award by attending at least one CCD registered event every three years, or progressing up to the next level of course on the coach education pathway. Similarly, once you have completed a Goalkeeping Coaching Certificate or Goalkeeping Coaching Award, you will be able to maintain these awards by attending at least one CCD registered event three years, or progressing up to the next level of course on the coach education pathway.

What happens if I don’t attend any further coach education courses or CCD events, or my validity period elapses?

Should you fail to progress with the next level of course on the coach education pathway or maintain CCD your award will become invalid. As a result, you will need to complete the course in full course once more.

Conversely, on completion of the above noted CCD requirements, your Scottish FA Coach Education Award will be valid for a further three years.

What’s in it for me?

Football is continually evolving so by regularly updating qualifications and attending CCD courses, you continue to learn and develop, in order to provide the best possible experience to your players. CCD keeps you up to date with current practice and trends. It also allows you to be reflective and strive to improve your skill set.

Can I go to more than one event during the three year period?

Yes, you are welcome to attend as many events as you wish during the period.

What can I do if my Level 1.1 is from 5 years ago?

If your qualification is more than five years old, and you haven’t attended any CCD events since, then you would have to complete that course in full once again.

How is the validity period of my awards worked out?

All Scottish FA Coach Education awards carry a validity period of three full calendar years, until no later than 31 December three years after completion (e.g. a course completed on 1 February 2020 would be valid until 31 December 2023; similarly a course completed date on 1 December 2020 would be valid until 31 December 2023).

How do I find out when my awards are valid until, and what awards I hold?

You will be able to view your full record by logging into your account on the Scottish FA Live system.

Who is responsible for ensuring that my records are up to date?

Your personal details and coach education records are held on our Scottish FA Live system. Please log into your own account at Scottish FA Live and ensure that all your records are accurate and up to date. If you do notice any discrepancies, please let us know by contacting The Coach Education Support Portal

What is CPD and how does it differ from CCD?

CPD stand for Continuous Professional Development and is different to CCD in that CPD is for those coaches who hold UEFA Licence diplomas. The principles of CPD are the same as that of CCD. However, while licence awards are also valid for three years, coaches at that level must complete a minimum of 15 hours of accredited CPD education every three years as a minimum.