With Scotland competing in Euro 2017, the Scottish FA also ran a Coach Development Conference in the Netherlands with representatives from 22 Senior SWF clubs and 6 elite player development programmes.
They have taken part in the learning initiative which forms an important part of the annual education programme provided to the Girls’ and Women’s Clubs.
They observed Scotland’s match against England and attended the Portugal fixture as well as other group stage matches.
On Thursday, 20 July the 35 participants visited AFC Ajax where they were given a tour of the training ground and learnt about their Eredivise winning women’s team as well as the culture and philosophy of the club.
They also sat down with the Scotland Women’s National Team coaching staff where they discussed various facets of the coaching and management process with head coach Anna Signuel and assistant coach Ann-Helen Grahm.
The Coach Development Conference was run thanks to Scottish FA Erasmus+ which has also helped facilitate Scottish FA/UEFA Pro Licence Coaches candidates visit Poland. Scottish FA/UEFA Youth Licence Coaches also attended a conference in Portugal due to the funding initiative.
Head of Women’s and Girls football Donald Gillies said: “We have been looking forward to delivering this education experience to the coaches ever since we qualified for the finals and the learning that has gone on so far has been great to be a part of.
“Looking at the best countries in Europe to try and understand their approach to these games and the player qualities will hopefully serve to motivate the participants to continue to develop their own approach to developing their own team back home."