A ground-breaking new coaching course designed to help aspiring coaches reach the highest level of football has got underway, with ten candidates selected by the Scottish FA for the first edition of the Elite Coaches Development Programme.

The fully-funded offering is a highly-technical course that will go in-depth on a number of key topics, including coaching methodology, performance psychology, tactical analysis, communication skills, physical performance and periodisation, with several key speakers lined up over the next twelve months.

The candidates have been selected based on a variety of factors, including potential and the strength of their ambition to reach the elite level.

The course, which got underway last month and will involve 12 meet-ups over the next calendar year, will be led by Chris Docherty, Head of Men's Elite Strategy, and co-author of the Scottish FA's Transition Report.

He said: "One of the recommendations we made within the Transition Report was an increased sharing of best practice with individuals working within the game and across the multi-disciplinary spectrum. This was actually based on consistent requests from clubs to help upskill the next generation of practitioners.

"Whether in management, coaching, or other positions within football departments, we want to provide young Scottish candidates who are ambitious the opportunity to learn from best practice from around the globe. We also feel these individuals will take ideas back to their colleagues at their clubs and, of course, the players they work with, and that the course will therefore have a wider impact across our game. 

"The selection process was very competitive and we are extremely pleased with the candidates we have been able to select. The sessions that we have had already have been intense, and I'm delighted with the attitude shown by all. 

"By choosing to fund the award, we as an association are also giving our backing to this group of up-and-coming coaches who we feel can be ambassadors for our game over the coming decades."

Elite Coaches Development Programme Candidates

Aaron Scully Head of Children's, Aberdeen
Angus Beith Head Coach, Hearts B
Chris Hendry Under-18 Assistant Coach, Celtic
Rachel Mair Academy Coach, Glasgow City Women
Grant Sandison Under-15 Coach, Hearts
Joe McGlynn Head of Coaching, Queens Park 
Liam Ross Professional Development Phase, Rangers 
Scott Robertson Head of Football Development, Dundee 
Steven Mundell Youth Development Phase, Rangers 
Willie McNabb Head of Children's, Celtic 

Meet the Candidates

At their December meet, we caught up with three of the candidates, Chris Hendry, Scott Robertson and Rachel Mair, who all reflected on their early experiences of the course and shared some of their coaching backgrounds.

Chris Hendry, Under-18 Assistant Coach, Celtic: “A huge incentive for me was the fact this programme was going to be a small group. It’s an opportunity to learn and develop and make connections. The application process was challenging and you had to earn your place.
 
“We're still in the early stages but it's already been fascinating, analysing different styles of coaching and it's been exciting to gain different insights into the other candidates.
 
"I always wanted to work in football, so I started enrolling in the Scottish FA courses when I was 17. I then got the opportunity to go in at Celtic and I managed to progress my way from Under-10s all the way through to the Under-18s. It’s been a progressive journey for myself as a coach and I've been lucky to experience working under the direction of different first-team managers. 
 
"The timing of this course was perfect because I’ve recently moved from part-time to a full-time position and I believe this programme will help me accelerate my development as a coach in the professional game."
 
Rachel Mair, Academy Coach, Glasgow City: “I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and broaden my horizons and that was the initial appeal about the course.
 
"I’m one of the youngest so it was a bit nerve-wracking at first but everyone has been really supportive. It was a confidence boost getting on the course and it's been intense but in the best way possible. It’s a very free, open platform to discuss football and I can already see a difference in the way I’m looking at games. 
 
“I started coaching at grassroots level when I was 16, before going to Motherwell then Hearts, and that’s when I knew I really wanted to try and make my name in coaching.
 
“I learned so much there and Lee Wallace and Emma Hunter in particular were incredible to learn off. Then Glasgow City came and approached me about taking a position in their academy. It’s been an incredible path already and I’ve been very lucky, but I’ve worked hard to get into the positions I’ve been in.
 
“I’ve had a few conversations with other candidates about the men’s game and it’s something that I may try at some point in the future but I want to go where my passion is and I’m enjoying taking these learnings from such an elite environment and applying them in the female game at the moment."
 
Scott Robertson, Head of Football Development, Dundee: "I was obviously very grateful to be selected to be part of it given it’s such a tight group and it’s an exciting environment to be involved in.
 
“I’ve been coaching for around ten years but I still feel like a younger coach as I only finished playing a couple of years ago. I did my B-Licence and A-Licence when I was at Hibs, then moved to Raith Rovers where I helped with the Under-20s before becoming a player-coach. 
 
“I then came to Dundee to work with their Under-18s and I'm now in my sixth season. While I’ve been here I also managed to have a season as assistant manager at Forfar Athletic and that excited me with there being so much focus on the results.
 
“I love developing young players and seeing them kick on in their careers but I also enjoy seeing them develop as young people, coming out of their shells and flourishing in whatever they do in their lives.
 
"We're still in the early stages of the course but I’ve enjoyed analysing European teams in particular, because it can be easy to have too much tunnel vision for how we do things in this country. It’s got me looking at the game differently and I’m looking forward to the rest of the programme."