Spartans Women’s duo Debbi McCulloch and Nichola Sturrock will be swapping their whistles for wallcharts this weekend as they head to Toryglen Regional Football Centre for the beginning of their SFA UEFA B Licence course.

The pair been accepted on the highly sought after coaching award’s year-long course together with Stuart Gray, Head of the Club’s Youth Section, ensuring that the Spartans Family are well represented.

The course is run under the guidance of SFA’s Head Coach of Education, Donald Park.  Such is the popularity of the B Licence, Donald delivered it to a group of 20 coaches in Bermuda last year.

Ahead of the initial meet at Toryglen on Sunday, we caught up with Debbi and Nichola to get their thoughts on what’s in store over the next 12 months.

Nichola

Nichola’s coaching experience is Spartans infused from her initial involvement with the u/9s, to Head Coach of the u/11s before stepping up to joining the u/17s girls coaching team.

The 22 year old is looking forward to a tough and rewarding 12 months ahead on the course. “I’ve learned a lot about coaching in a relatively short period of time and the course will help take me to the next level in my development as a coach.  The u/17s are a great bunch of girls and I’m looking forward to be working with the squad over the next year as part of my Licence coursework.

“I hope to expand my knowledge of the senior game but in a coaching capacity rather than just playing with the Senior Reserves this year and I’m keen to learn from the others who will be attending the course.

“I’ll be working quite closely with my fellow Spartan Debbi over the next 12 months.  Obviously I know Debbi quite well from the Academy from working alongside her and I’ve also played under her too and I’m confident we’ll be able to bounce of each other and share some ideas.”

Debbi

Debbi joined Spartans back in 2009 as Assistant Head Coach, before becoming Head Coach in 2010 then progressing to her current role as Team Manager in 2012.

‘The Gaffer’ admits it’s been a while since she’s been in the coaching classroom and is keen to see what’s new to bring to the party.

“I felt this was a good opportunity to further develop my coaching knowledge. I think these courses are always good to learn from other coaches too.

“I’ve got a clear coaching philosophy that I’ve been trying to develop over the last four or five years with this team and anything that can add to that or can broaden it and give it a wee bit variety, that can only beneficial for the club and for the team.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge over the next 12 months and I’m keen as ever to learn some new drills and tactics.  There’s no better way of doing it than whilst aiming to achieve your B Licence either.

“Nichola is involved in our u/17s, where we need to make sure there are good coaches like her in place, that are able to develop players so that it gives them the best opportunity to be involved in the Seniors side at some stage.”