The FA is today adding to its growing suite of free online coaching courses with the launch of its first ever Massive Open Online Course, or MOOC for short.

Developed in partnership with Birmingham University, this three-week qualification is titled “Youth Football Coaching: Developing Creative Players” and explores the developmental needs of young players as well as the role of the coach in coaching creative behaviour.

Available to all, the course will provide learners with three hours of innovative and engaging content each week where they’ll have the ability to self-select or create the most appropriate teaching practices for young players’ needs.

The course will also bridge unique gaps in policy, practice and research to provide a valuable learning experience.

Nick Baker, FA learning design and development manager, is one of the team behind the launch of the new course. He told TheFA.com that it’s an exciting new step forward in the way The FA can deliver education to coaches around the country:

“In response to the changing needs of the modern learner, we’re constantly looking at new ways of supporting coaches with new content in different formats.

“This MOOC is the first course we’re developing in partnership with the University of Birmingham and we’re really excited about its potential to offer a new way of supporting the development of grassroots coaches.”

To join the course visit: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/developing-creative-players-in-youth-football.