How I became a coach

Former Macedonian international Milena Stevanovska had always dreamt about pursuing a career in coaching but never thought it would be possible for professional and financial reasons.

However, a scholarship obtained via the UEFA Coach Development Project for Women set her on her way to achieving her dream. "I'd been thinking about starting a coaching career since I stopped playing football some years ago, but if I hadn't received the scholarship, I would not be a UEFA B coach right now," she said.

The recent growth of women's football has not been reflected in the number of female UEFA-licensed coaches. The UEFA Coach Development Project for Women, which started in earnest early last year, aims to change that by increasing the amount of qualified female coaches, as well as clubs and national teams that are coached by women.

The funding for the female coaching scholarship for UEFA A and Pro diploma courses varies because the cost of the diploma is different in each country. UEFA also supports B and C diploma courses tailored to female coaches by tasking a UEFA technical instructor with running part of the course, or by providing funding to cover some of the costs.

"Meeting other women with the same goal, sharing experiences and getting some insight from the men's approach to the game was incredibly useful," Stevanovska, who took part in a mixed course, explained.

A UEFA B diploma requires 120 hours of study, including match analysis, reading the game, phases of player development, principles of fitness training and principles of scouting.

"I realised that being involved in football as a coach is totally different from being a player," said Stevanovska. "Coaching requires a great deal of knowledge – both practical and theoretical – and dedication. I have a lot more respect for coaches now, and I am convinced that I made the right choice in getting further education."

UEFA's financial support for women's coaching is paying dividends in FYR Macedonia, with the number of women applying to attend a B diploma course increasing fourfold immediately after the UEFA programme was launched. 

The coach education programmes – A, B, C and Pro diplomas – are open to aspiring women coaches in all 55 UEFA national associations.