Footballers with disabilities first

UEFA has launched its first free public e-learning course, Footballers First, for coaches involved in coaching footballers with disabilities.

Improving awareness
The course is designed to increase the understanding of grassroots coaches in order to support national associations' programmes for disabled footballers. It is arranged in 'bite-sized' modules which can be completed in 10-15 minutes each and has already attracted registered users from 42 different countries.

UEFA certificate
The three hours of e-learning, which is free for all users, offers animation, multimedia and scenario-based modules which the learner must solve. Those who successfully complete the course can print off their own UEFA certificate of completion. UEFA's technical director, Andy Roxburgh, said: "The course is titled Footballers First to underline UEFA's commitment that players with disabilities are first and foremost footballers whose enthusiasm for the game is as great as any other individual's.

e-learning
"It aims to improve the understanding and awareness of coaches in this area and support the work of national associations who provide a wide range of activities for footballers with disabilities. This course will be one of a number of e-learning courses that will be launched to support UEFA's Grassroots Programme," added Roxburgh.

To view the course, visit uefa.com/trainingground and click on Disability Course to register.