The Scottish FA have been announced as one of only five European countries who are set to pilot the new UEFA B Fitness Licence, which will begin early in the new year.

Given the growth and increased professionalisation and diversification of the fitness coach role in recent years, the Scottish FA Coach Education Department have been working closely with the European governing body to develop this new offering.

This work has been recognised by UEFA who have selected the Scottish FA as one of only a handful of National Associations who will deliver this course for the first time.

Applications are now open, with the course set to get underway in January. Those interested in applying for the course should email Catherine Sharp ([email protected]). Potential candidates should notify us of interest as soon as possible, prior to Friday, December 22.

The UEFA B Fitness Licence is a unique and credible recognised qualification which will look at the evolving importance of health and fitness in the modern men’s and women’s games, as well as the increase in physical demands on elite players. The course is open to those who have completed the UEFA C Licence and have a bachelor level of knowledge in sports or exercise science.

The key focus will be on the application of theory to practice on the pitch. Candidates will complete 120 hours of learning through a variety of means including online, pitch based practical and assessments completed within their current club environment.

Due to this applied nature, the course is not aimed solely at those who currently work as fitness coaches and sport scientists, but also at those that are looking to gain further knowledge or have an interest in this area – such as coaches or recently graduated students.

The UEFA B Fitness Licence will also cover a wide range of topics focusing on reality-based learning including areas such as session design, delivery and review, long term athletic development and the match day environment.

Greig Paterson, Head of Coach Education and Development, Scottish FA: “Being at the forefront of the development of the UEFA Fitness pathway is a fantastic achievement for the Scottish FA as it allows us to offer opportunities to those within the game in this country as early as possible.

“It also allows us to better align with our goals of being world-leading in terms of the provision we offer for all our coaches, from grassroots to the professional game.

“Offering this course enhances our continually growing Coach Education offering and provides further opportunities for those wishing to improve their knowledge on this side of the game.”

Information about the course can be found here.