New prestigious coaching qualification for Scotland’s top coaches

Scottish Rugby has today confirmed details of a new coaching qualification, which aims to increase the standard of Scotland’s performance coaches.The United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) Level 4 will be delivered for the first time in Scotland, in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University and sportscotland.The first enrolment will see eight coaches from professional, BT Premiership and national age-grade sides, undertake the two-year qualification, as Scottish Rugby endeavours to better nurture its best homegrown coaches.Kenny Murray (Glasgow Warriors), Stevie Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Ben Fisher (BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, Edinburgh Skills Coach, Boroughmuir and Scotland under-18), John Dalziel (Melrose and Scotland under-20), Phil Smith (Heriot’s, Glasgow Academy and Scotland Club XV), Calum Forrester (Ayr and Scotland under-19), Stevie Lawrie (Heriot’s, Stewart’s Melville College and Scotland under-16) and Andrew Hall (Hong Kong), the former Scotland second-row, will all begin the further-education-equivalent undertaking this August.Scottish Rugby’s Coach Development Manager, Neil Graham, said: “This course will provide an opportunity for Scotland’s up and coming coaches to accelerate their development.The UKCC Level 4 aims to develop visionary, outstanding and knowledgeable decision makers, who can advance their own and others learning and impact on performance to maintain momentum and progression towards their goals.”Edinburgh Napier University has first-class expertise in talent development, psychology and leadership, all of which are essential ingredients for coaching at a performance level.”We’re delighted to have them and sportscotland on board, as we seek to enhance the development opportunities available to talented Scottish coaches.” The course will be delivered at Edinburgh Napier University’s Sighthill Campus, the home of the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, Edinburgh.Participants will work towards a postgraduate diploma in Sports Performance Enhancement in conjunction with the UKCC qualification. Dr Tony Westbury, who will lead the programme, said:Our team have a long track record of working with both elite athletes and coaches, and this new collaboration is a brilliant opportunity for us to help shape the future success of Scottish rugby. We’re raring to get going.”The national agency for sport, sportscotland, will help subsidise the cost of the course for the participants. Their Head of Coaching and Volunteering, Stuart Ferrier, said: ”As worldwide sporting standards continue to rise, unique collaborations like this are an essential fuel to help Scotland’s ambition of achieving on the world stage. Combining best theory with best practice in a rich learning environment will undoubtedly inject the knowledge and capability required for our domestic coaches to improve the sporting experience and performance of our athletes. “sportscotland continues to support over 3500 coaches in achieving their qualifications per annum. In addition, our aim is to provide more high-quality coaches who contribute to a world-class sporting system, by honing the skills of the athletes and championing sport as a way of life for everyone.”Visit www.scottishrugby.org/coaching to discover more about UKCC Level 4 and other coaching opportunities in Scotland.