Coach education exchange visit

UEFA's innovative coach education exchange programme continues its spring schedule this week when UEFA Pro licence students from Albania, Armenia, Greece and Montenegro visit the House of European Football in Nyon.

With UEFA's help, the scheme involves European national associations exchanging knowledge and expertise in nurturing future coaches. The aim is to provide UEFA Pro licence students with an international dialogue as well as access to UEFA, its tutors and educational materials.

At least four European associations attend each event, under the guidance of their own respective coach education directors. UEFA appoints experienced tutors or coach educators to work with UEFA's football education services at the courses, and members of the UEFA Jira Panel – the body responsible for overseeing coach education – take part together with guest presenters.

The course also comprises practical training sessions at the Colovray Sports Centre opposite UEFA's headquarters. Specific topics dealt with at each course include crisis management, developing mental strength, self-improvement methods, and handling the press, supporter expectations and players.

A media session also gives the student coaches the chance to show their skills in the flash interview situation seen on television after a UEFA Champions League game, as well as receiving crucial advice on how to interact with, and to, the written press, radio and TV.