The Scottish FA is delighted to announce that East End Park, Dunfermline, will host the eighth East Region Coaching Conference on Sunday 23rd August.

The conference, which will be on between 10am and 3pm, is aimed at coaches working at all levels of football, and will include a variety of practical sessions as well as a discussion forum.

The conference has been designated as a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) event for coaches who attend.

Application forms are available here.

Please complete and send to east@scottishfa.co.uk to book your place.

Speakers at the event include:

Aaron Danks – West Bromwich Albion
Aaron Danks is currently the under 18’s West Bromwich Albion FC Coach/Lead Professional Development Phase Coach, who holds a UEFA A Licence.

He started his coaching career at Birmingham FC where he was both an Academy coach and development officer before moving to the West Brom Academy. There he became Head of
Academy Analysis at the club for two years before taking on a new role as the U12- U16 Academy Manager which he was responsible for the technical and tactical teaching of the game for these age groups.

Aaron has now been in his role as the u18’s coach for over a year and his vision reflects that of the Baggies Head Coach which is to fast-track youngsters into higher age groups, something already apparent in last season’s Under-21s campaign which featured Under-18 and
Under-16 players.

Gordon Forrest – Vancouver White Caps
Gordon is a coach with vast experience in youth development, currently working as the assistant coach at MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps. He also continues in his role as head of high performance, overseeing the technical side of the Residency Program and development of the club’s young talent.

Gordon’s coaching credentials include a UEFA A Licence, Scottish Football Association Youth Licence, and a Scottish Football Association Advanced Children’s Licence.

Gordon has been involved in football development for nearly 10 years, previously working with the Scottish Football Association and New Zealand Football. In 2012, Forrest served as assistant coach with the New Zeeland Women’s National Team.

Gavin Beith – Scottish FA
Gavin is currently the Scottish FA East Region Player & Coach Development Manager who holds a UEFA B License and Scottish Football Association Youth License.

Gavin Beith started his coaching career at Arbroath FC before moving onto his post with the Scottish FA as Player & Coach Development Manager. This post allows Gavin to not only develop players through the ‘School of Football’ and Girls Regional Performance programmes but he also aids the development of coaches throughout the region via coaching groups, Scottish FA coach education courses and workshops.

Gavin has recently taken on a new voluntary role with Dundee United Ladies FC and has been tasked with implementing a female structure at the club.