That's absolutely BRILLIANT Exeter, keep up the good work mate.   

Exeter, having gone through the Italian FA's UEFA A badge, can I say, thankfully, that British Coaching is catching up with the more technical aspects of European coaching. For some reason, the Belgium FA currently leads the way, closely followed by Germany, Spain, Italy & surprisingly, Scotland.

We need to get to the Belgium level, where they don't put kids anywhere near cones to learn to pass, but ask that a runner moves to a position to receive the ball. The coach quietly asks the passer and receiver 'why' and' what process went through their minds in making such run/pass.'

The kids quickly learn about curved, straight, noisy and silent runs, dropping short, wall passes, pinning and moving opponents etc. far quicker and better that a number of guys in a square of cones where most are static and colours of cones largely determine the route of the ball.

EUFA A licensed coach

Exeter,  I held FA Level 2 licence, (obtained in the UK) when I moved to Malta (Gozo)... this licence, when converted to a UEFA B (which the Maltese FA kindly did to fall in line with their coaching guidelines,) was all I ever needed to get offered a position of 1st Team Assistant Coach, with a team called Ghajnsielem of the Gozitan Premier Leage. (About National/Conference level)

From there, word of mouth together with personal contacts within the FA's of Gozo, Malta & Italy, opened further doors, (along with my Coaching Badges) culminating in the prestigious post of Head Coach/Manager to the Gozitan Female Team and a First Team Coach with the National Malta Female team. I had a big input, working with an upcoming female coach (Ex Maltese national, Melania Bajada) in the development of grass roots football in Malta & Gozo, especially with young ladies and girls. One of the girls, (Keeva Camileri, 13 years old now,) was invited to Anfield for a trial with Liverpool Ladies....yes, she was/is that good! She has been asked to return every couple of months.

My health put the mockers on everything. I can't fly to Malta as even Ryan Air are asking £1,500 just for insurance. (As soon as the word STROKE is mentioned, the price soars. Melania is still 'running' the youth/girl academy, and from what I hear, doing a great job. Had my health been good, I feel sure a good job offer would have been forthcoming, probably from Lecce or Cagliari, with whom I had built good contacts. I feel and have been told, that I would have made a very capable coach, however, that's now gone and I must play the cards life has dealt.

All the best and Up The Millers. (Shame Exeter City didn't make it!)

Exeter, I have explored every avenue. My love and commitment to coaching and the game as a whole is unshakeable, alas the long term effects of the Strokes (2) was to badly reduce my sight, my voice was so damaged that I was advised to and now have  obtained my Level 3 BSL (Sign Language) Qualification, Level 4 and 'Interpreter Level' are the highest. At a push, I could get involved with the Deaf Community but my signing is pitifully slow and error ridden when compared to the lightening fast speed of those born deaf or who are profoundly deaf. Now in my mid 60's, that challenge is just one too many. I really need to give my all to learning the basics of walking, talking and general cohesion again. (For example, typing this message has taken one finger the best part of 90 minutes. It would have taken 2 minutes max some time ago, all things involving any type of co-ordination are similarly painfully slow.)

Look forward meeting you sometime when, perhaps, we can put things football, especially RUFC, to rights.

UEFA A Licenced Coach