Edge Hill University welcomed The Football Association to host UEFA C and UEFA B coaching courses, supporting the development of grassroots and professional coaches across the North-West region.
Delivered at the University’s state-of-the-art sports facilities on campus in Ormskirk, the UEFA courses provided an ideal learning environment for future coaches to develop their skillset, share best practice with course-mates, whilst engaging in high-quality coach education.
Edge Hill’s astroturf pitches, teaching spaces and wider campus offer a professional setting that reflects the standards expected within contemporary football coaching.
The courses also build on the strong relationship between Edge Hill University’s Department of Sport and Physical Activity and The Football Association, drawing on academic and applied expertise and supporting the development of the wider sport workforce.
Dr Mark Partington, Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching at Edge Hill University, said: “We are delighted to host The Football Association UEFA C and UEFA B coaching courses at Edge Hill University. The excellent facilities provide a high-quality learning environment for coaches to develop their practice, reflect on their coaching, and connect theory with the realities of the game.”
“The courses also reflect the strong link with FA learning. This partnership allows us to support coach development in a way that is applied, professionally relevant and connected to the needs of coaches, clubs and players across the region.”
“We are delighted to continue working with The FA to provide coach education opportunities that support coaches, professional clubs and communities across the game.”
Final year Edge Hill BSc Sports Coaching student, Oliver Verander, is currently one of the students studying towards his UEFA C coaching Licence.
“It’s been enjoyable so far, there are a lot of new things that come up, especially the coaching knowledge that you use on the pitch, so it makes it easier to explain, and the days are enjoyable as well,” Oliver said.
“I took the coaching course, as I want to work in a football academy, you need at least a B Licence, so that’s what I’m working towards. Through the University I have got a placement at Wigan Athletic, so I’ve been doing that for the last year which has been a fantastic experience. I want to continue doing the badges.
“If you’re grassroots, the C course is brilliant because you get to know somethings that you might not get to know, I have a grassroots team as well so it’s been really beneficial to me, if you want to work in coaching as a career, you have to climb the ladder anyway, so I’d definitely recommend it and it’s beneficial knowledge wise, and I’ve been able to take what I’ve learned from my UEFA C course into my degree.”
Find out more about the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Degree and Football Coach Development Programme at Edge Hill University.
July 13, 2026
