Following the FA Education restructure and the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, opportunities have started to become available again to support grassroots volunteers across the country.

The following update will provide the latest news on the changes to coach education, in particular the new online courses that are now available and replacing previous face to face delivery as well as plans for the coach education CPD offering next season. 

One noticeable change to be aware of is that The FA centrally are now responsible for administrating and managing coach education courses with Cornwall FA taking on responsibility for supporting the workforce via a range of events throughout the year.   

Please see the Coach, Volunteer and Referee Qualification Guidance document highlighting what qualifications are needed for different roles within Football.  


Going Forwards – CPD Consultation 

Ahead of next season, we would like to gain the views of the Cornish Football Family to identify what next season’s CPD offering could look like to best suit the needs of coaches across the county. To gain your feedback we would greatly appreciate it if coaches could fill out the Cornwall FA CPD Consultation Questionnaire.  

Feedback must be submitted by 9.00am on the 5th July 2021.

Everyone who submits feedback will be entered in a draw to have a chance at winning one of three £20 Amazon vouchers. 

Click here to access the Cornwall FA CPD Consultation Questionnaire. 

We also want to better understand which of our clubs around the County have access to a deliberator.  Please click here to complete this very short Defibrillator Consultation survey. 


CPD Events 

Over the last few months, Cornwall FA have hosted free online CPD events for coaches across the county. For the 2020/21 season, we have one remaining online CPD opportunity available, this will be running on the 27th June (7pm to 8pm) on Microsoft Teams. To book your place on the online event, click here.  

For the final CPD event this season, The FA Coach Development team will be providing a workshop titled ‘Continuing your journey: Who are we?’ which will introduce the different reflective strategies you can start to use to analyse your learning environment, practices and your approach to player development. It also shows ways you can reflect and adapt the core values and beliefs of your philosophy, depending on how these are shaping and impacting your day-to-day coaching.  

To catch up on the previous CPD events delivered, please click the following links: 

Click here for the CPD event: Staying connected with your players

Click here for the CPD event: Mastering the basics 

Click here for the CPD event: Creating positive experiences


Introduction to Coaching Football – (Replacing the FA Level 1 Coaching Course) 

Officially launched on the 16th June 2021, Introduction to Coaching Football is the perfect online football coaching course for anyone looking to take a more active role in the game.  

The course blends live weekly webinars, e-learning, community support and a range of resources to provide you with the skills to coach players of all ages.   

Click here to complete the course. 

Please Note: You will not be able to take Introduction to Coaching Football if you have not completed The BT Playmaker By England Football course. You can sign-up to become an FA Playmaker for free here. 


BT Playmaker, By England Football 

BT Playmaker by England Football is our new, free online entry-level football course perfect for anyone interested in taking a more active role in grassroots football.  

There are five modules in total and you don’t need any previous football experience or qualifications before signing up. The course will also include The FA “Safeguarding for All”, “Sudden Cardiac Arrest” and “The FA’s Concussion Guidelines” and is a prerequisite for the Introduction to Coaching Football. 

You can sign-up to become an FA Playmaker for free here. 


FA Level 2 in Coaching Football  

Because of the FA Coach Education restructure and the COVID-19 Pandemic, the delivery of the FA Level 2 coaching qualification is currently on pause whilst the FA Coach Education team update and restructure the course ahead of its formal release. During this process the course name will change, with the new course being name the UEFA C Coaching Qualification. It is expected that the new course will be released in 2022 and will feature a blend of online and face to face delivery. 

Any ‘in-flight’ learners who completed some of the FA Level 2 course when course delivery was available should have been contacted by the FA and/or Cornwall FA to identify supporting opportunities to help coaches finish the remaining workshops.  Please contact Daniel Greenough for more information on daniel.greenough@cornwallfa.com   

As soon as further information is available on the new UEFA C course, we will distribute this information via our social media and website. In the meantime, coaches waiting to do the course can further their knowledge through the numerous learning opportunities and resources on the FA Boot Room.  


UEFA B Coaching Qualification 

The delivery of the UEFA B Coaching qualification is currently on pause as a result of the FA Coach Education restructure and COVID-19 Pandemic. This is provisionally due to be reintroduced next year and we are awaiting information regarding what the roll out of this course looks like across the country.  

Previously the course was run within a county however this could change with courses potentially being distributed in an alternative method.  

We have retained our list of learners due to start the most recent UEFA B course that was cancelled in 2020 and have forwarded this information to the FA in the form of a priority list for coaches to do the UEFA B course.  Please contact Daniel Greenough for more information on daniel.greenough@cornwallfa.com   

As soon as further information is available on the new UEFA B course, we will distribute this information via our social media and website. In the meantime, coaches waiting to do the course can further their knowledge through the numerous learning opportunities and resources on the FA Boot Room.  


Safeguarding Children Course 

The FA have redeveloped this course as an online learning module that you can complete at a time that suits you and you can complete the new course now! 

The new Safeguarding Children Course supports The FA’s strategic goal to raise standards across the game and will provide club representatives, coaches, referees and managers with an awareness of best practice in safeguarding children in football. 

Focused on making football safe, the course will help you learn how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse, while understanding fears involved in these concerns. 

The Safeguarding Children Course is designed for anyone that works with young people. 

Upon completion of the course, you’ll receive a Safeguarding Children qualification and certificate that will appear on your FAN account and will be valid for two years. You can return to the course to refresh your knowledge at any time with the course cost at £30. 

Click here to complete the course. 

If you have previously attended a face to face Safeguarding Children Workshop and your qualification is about to expire, you can recertify here for free until the 30th June 2021.  

Please also note the Safeguarding Children Course is available as a module within Introduction to Coaching Football. If you have completed or are booked onto the Introduction to Coaching Football, you do not need to complete Safeguarding Children Course twice. 

Introduction to First Aid in Football  

The new Introduction to First Aid in Football has been designed to provide the latest information and advice on how you can support a trained first aider in the event of someone needing medical attention. 

As medical emergencies can happen at any time in football, it is crucial that those in a position of care are able to react quickly and effectively should a situation arise. This course, delivered entirely online, will help you to protect the welfare of others and contribute to a safer game. 

Medical guidance is always improving in football, and particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, being able to deliver the appropriate level of care is crucial.  

The course costs £30 and can be done in your own time, at a pace that suits you. It should take around 90-120 minutes to complete. 

Click here to complete the course. 

Please note that Introduction to First Aid in Football is available as a module within Introduction to Coaching Football. If you have completed or are booked onto Introduction to Coaching Football, you do not need to complete Introduction to First Aid in Football twice. 


Introduction to Disability Football 

Football is 'For All' – and almost one in five of us has a long-standing limiting disability, illness or condition. The FA have released online learning modules to help provide insights into disability football coaching. 

This learning lasts 30 minutes and examines how to support the individuals in your team, whatever their ability level. 

Click here to complete the course. 


Referee Online Modules - The FA Guide to the Laws of the Game 

The first step to becoming a qualified referee can now be completed for free online with The FA Guide to the Laws of the Game.  The online modules will provide you with an insight into the laws of the game giving you the knowledge to help you take your first steps into refereeing. 

Click here to complete The FA Guide to the Laws of the Game online modules. 

Please contact Lee Swabey for more information on lee.swabey@cornwallfa.com   


Additional Information 

There are also a variety of online courses and additional learning opportunities you can access via our CFA website by clicking here.  

For further information please contact Daniel Greenough, Cornwall FA Football Development Manager, on daniel.greenough@cornwallfa.com