Coach accord benefits game

UEFA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Alliance of European Football Coaches' Associations (AEFCA), previously known as the Union of European Football Trainers (UEFT). The memorandum, signed by the two parties in Zagreb, aims to promote co-operation in the best interests of European football, and for the monitoring of coaching developments in Europe.

Mutual consultation
UEFA is pledging its support to the AEFCA in the latter's work in relation to coach education and the protection of the coaching profession, and mutual consultation will take place between the two bodies on a regular basis. UEFA will consult AEFCA on coaching issues where appropriate, invite AEFCA observers to UEFA coach education events, and provide technical information and educational tools.

Coach education backing
In return, AEFCA will recognise UEFA as the sole European football governing body, and its members will give full backing to UEFA's coach education programmes, including all matters related to the UEFA Convention on the Mutual Recognition of Coaching Qualifications.

Similar concerns
AEFCA currently has 38 affiliated members (coaches' associations) throughout Europe, and deals specifically with issues concerning the coaching profession and education of coaches. UEFA and the AEFCA share similar concerns on the role of the coach and coach education, and see the coach as a key factor in the development of football and its players, especially youth players. The memorandum understands that coaches are role models and that their education is very important.

Football benefits
UEFA has a comprehensive coach education programme, and regularly holds seminars and conferences for those who train football coaches – the coach educators – while AEFCA holds a symposium every year for coaching association leaders. The overall aim is to produce well-trained coaches, who in turn nurture players and teams – thereby bringing benefit to the European game in its entirety.