PFA Regional Coach Brian Borrows believes that the Level 2 Coaching Certificate is a valuable asset to the Apprentice footballers currently under his tutelage on the qualification.
A recognised part of the Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence programme currently delivered to all Apprentices at Football League Clubs, the coaching qualification has become a valuable commodity for younger players making their way in the game.
And Borrows is keen to see Apprentices grasp the opportunities afforded to them by the qualification:
“I did my first coaching badge in my late twenties with a team-mate, Kenny Sansom at Coventry University alongside mainstream students but today Apprentices have a great chance to get their first coaching badge early, which then opens up a coaching pathway, which can mean lots of chances to stay in the game.”
“I know in my region both Derby County and Mansfield Town have employed former Apprentices as skills coaches and I think this is something that has been replicated in other regions.”
The Level 2 Coaching award also allows Apprentices the chance to work at an Academy/Centre of Excellence or within the Community department in order to log their 12 hours of coaching which Borrows sees as a mutually beneficial scenario.
He added;
“Apprentices and Clubs both benefit, the lads get the experience and ultimately the qualification while the Club can use them as examples to players at their younger age groups or as positive role models in the community.”
“The more enlightened Clubs see this as a good opportunity with many realising that it can potentially be used to help mentor coaches they may one day need to call on.”
