Over the past few years the question has often been asked: "Where are all the home-grown coaches in the English game?" TheFA.com is now proud to announce the answer - Warwick.

It is there, in the heart of the English countryside, that the finest coaches in the English game have assembled to take part in the F.A.'s pioneering UEFA Pro-Licence Coaching Course.

The year-long course provides those students who pass with the highest coaching qualification in football and has proved to be both a massive challenge and a huge education to those coaches who have been invited to take part.

The residential study week in Warwick has marked the conclusion of the course for those studying on last year's pilot scheme while, for the sixteen students who have been invited to take the course this year, it's just the beginning.

The students vary widely in age and experience but they all share a huge talent and enthusiasm for their trade. Dedication is required too because 240 hours of work - on top of a full time job for many - is some commitment.

However, when the reward is knowledge, these students do not need asking twice.

TheFA.com caught up with some of today's pupils who look set to be tomorrow's masters to see what they had to say about what the course.

Lawrie Sanchez - Wycombe Wanderers Manager

"The important thing for me has been to be able to go away and use what I have learned with my club. I have done things for the first time like looking at the season as whole, rather than seeing pre-season as a separate element. I have thought about how I relate to people in the club plus the causes and potential prevention of injury.

"The course has allowed me to lift my head and look a bit further which is something that's difficult to do during the season. It has raised my horizons."

Chris Hughton - Tottenham Hotspur First Team Coach

"I was invited by a written invitation from the F.A. and as soon as the invitation came through, I accepted it.

"It's very much a compliment and to be in the first batch of coaches to take it is excellent. Hopefully, when we complete and pass the course that will also prevent the potential situation in four years time where we would want to get on the course but there might not be any room left.

"There's such a broad spectrum of people here too. There's people from all four divisions and those people hold different positions within the clubs. That variety is very important.

"The course re-iterates to the students the importance of knowledge and education and that's something that you take back to your club. It's exciting to be involved."

Peter Withe - Thailand National Team Coach

"I'm based in Thailand which can mean that I become isolated at times as I'm unable to meet other coaches. The Pro-Licence has given me the opportunity to come back to the UK and hear what's happening over here.

"I think it's a good learning process. It's great to get the qualification but the brainstorming is a really big part of it too - watching, listening and learning. "

Mark McGhee - Millwall Manager

"The calibre of the people that were going to be here attracted me to the course. Seeing these people work is invaluable.

"The other aspect is that it allows you to test yourself and find out about yourself. You may have ideas about the game and about how good you are but it's only in this environment, when you're exposed to the best, that you find out if you're right about yourself. It's a bit of a risk in that sense but one you've got to take. "

David Platt - England Under-21 Coach

"The thing that I have found useful is the sharing of ideas. It has taught us to look at ourselves a little bit more objectively.

"If you don't welcome other people's opinions, then you'll never look at things objectively or progress as a coach."

Nigel Spackman - England Youth Team Coach

"As a player, the best way to improve is to play with people that are better than you and its no different as a coach. You watch everybody's sessions and try and work them into your own style. It's an enjoyable course but there is also a lot of work ahead."

Stuart Pearce - Manchester City Coach

"This course is all about education. There are a lot of managers here who have been managing for a long time, picking up tremendous experience. Experience as a manager is one thing that I don't have so just being around people like that improves my experience.

"The benefit of it is two or three-fold. I might look at a session someone is putting on and think to myself: 'That's a good one, I'll take that back to my club.' I might look at someone's style as a coach, think about how it differs from my own and what I might draw from that. And there's also the educational aspect.

"You're not only benefiting your club, but also enhancing your own personal development."

Howard Wilkinson, the F.A.'s Technical Director and the man who has designed and led the course, is delighted that it has come to fruition in such a positive manner.

"The course represents an excellent opportunity for these coaches to raise their level of expertise while building relationships and learning from one another at the same time," he explained.

"It's an extremely healthy atmosphere for learning and you cannot doubt either the talent or ambition of the students who are on the course.

"With the average age of the Senior England team being lowered dramatically, the success of the academy system and the National Football Centre drawing ever closer, the Pro-Licence coaching qualification is further evidence of the progress that we have made in the last four years."


STUDENTS ON THE UEFA PRO LICENCE INAUGURAL COURSE 2001

Dick Bate, Noel Blake, Terry Burton, Steve Cotterill, Mervyn Day, Dario Gradi, Stewart Houston, Martin Hunter, Chris Hughton, Sammy Lee, Lawrie Sanchez, Alan Smith.


UEFA PRO LICENCE 2002 INTAKE

David Platt - England U-21 Coach

Nigel Spackman - England Youth Coach

Nigel Worthington - Norwich City Manager

Stuart Pearce - Manchester City Coach

Alan Pardew - Reading Manager

Willie Donachie - Sheffield Wednesday First Team Coach

David Watson - Tranmere Manager

Joe Joyce - PFA Head of Coaching

Derek Fazackerley - Manchester City First Team Coach

Stuart Gray - Aston Villa First Team Coach

Mark McGhee - Millwall Manager

Phil Brown - Bolton First Team Coach

Peter Withe - Thailand National Team Coach

Hope Powell OBE - England Women's Team Coach

John McDermott - F.A. National Coach

Nigel Pearson - F.A. National Coach

Stuart Baxter - F.A. National Coach