In March 2022, our third cohort of coaches will successfully graduate from our Online Coach Mentoring Programme.

This group consisted of eight coaches, with representation from as far afield as South Africa and Saudi Arabia, and this takes the total number of coaches who have participated in the programme to 40 coaches in the last 18 months.

An individual coach development plan was designed for each coach which provided the direction for the programme. The focus areas for these coaches ranged from tactical development and knowledge of formations to building club curriculums and understanding the role of an assistant coach.

Each coach was set a number of coaching assignments and were also invited to attend webinars delivered by Jose Romero (International Soccer Academy Manager), Michael Tuohy (Celtic FC Women First team Coach) & Chris Smith (Head of Soccer Academy).

As the programme draws to a conclusion next month, each coach will be provided with an individual coach action plan to help guide future development alongside a Celtic FC coach education certificate and gift.

Sean Muhsin, Director of Football at Salwa FC in Saudi Arabia, said: “When we signed up to the programme we had a couple of idea we hoped Celtic could help with.

"By the end of our first session Celtic had developed those ideas into a club plan and structured it in a way that made the understandable and obtainable. Now for the first time in its 12-year history, Salwa FC has a legacy booklet and a coaching curriculum for each of the age groups.

'We couldn’t be more grateful to Celtic FC for their direction and experience and would 100 per cent recommend this programme to others.'

Celtic’s Head of Soccer Academy, Chris Smith, added: Every coach I have worked with through this programme has inspired me with their enthusiasm to learn and eagerness to develop their understanding of the coaching world. It’s fantastic to play a part in their journey and I look forward to seeing their progress in the months and years ahead.”

The eight coaches who have graduated from this cohort are: Elliot Baldwin, Yardley Makefield Soccer, USA; Kentaro Tadaka, Tucker Youth Soccer Association, USA; Chris Hambie, Tucker Youth Soccer Association, USA; Claudio Rivo Lorenzani, Transition Football, South Africa; Warren Van Blommestein, Corinthians FC, South Africa; Sean Muhsin, Salwa FC, Saudi Arabia; Derek Milligan, Salwa FC, Saudi Arabia; Ihssan Aokal, Salwa FC, Saudi Arabia.

The application process for the next cohort of coaches is now open with the programme beginning in April 2022 and running through to September 2022. Should you be interested in applying for the programme please get in touch using the contact details below and a programme brochure will be emailed to you.

To join the next group on this programme please contact: Chris Smith, Head of Soccer Academy, Email: csmith@celticfc.co.uk

Online Coach Mentoring Programme – A growing success