Next cohort joins successful programme
Date posted
17 August 2018
11:39
Six coaches from the domestic and international game have been selected to take the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) Level 4 course which is delivered in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University and sportscotland.
The course takes a minimum of twenty months to complete and aims to increase the standard of Scotland’s performance coaches by developing outstanding and knowledgeable decision makers who are better placed to advance their own and others learning.
The latest intake of coaches includes Scotland Women Assistant Coach, Ciaran Beattie, and Scotland age-grade coaches Bruce Ruthven, Graham Shiel and David Wilson.
Tennent’s Premiership Head Coaches, Fin Gillies (Glasgow Hawks) and Derek O’Riordan (Edinburgh Academicals), also take spots on the course.
Scotland Women Assistant Coach, Ciaran Beattie, said: “It’s a privilege to be involved in the UKCC Level 4 course and I would like to thank Scottish Rugby, sportscotland and Edinburgh Napier University for the opportunity.
“Through my current work with the Training and Education team at Scottish Rugby I am fortunate enough to have seen glimpses of the level of high class education that goes on within the course, so I am under no illusion of the challenge and opportunity that this is.
“I have no doubt that this will add huge benefit to my coaching skills and beyond. 
“It’s raising the standard of coaching in line with the level of play that is occurring within Scotland at present.”
Graduates from the UKCC Level 4 course, which was introduced for the first time in Scotland in 2015, include John Dalziel (Head Coach of Scotland 7s), Ben Cairns (Head Coach of Currie Chieftains) and Kenny Murray (Assistant Coach at Glasgow Warriors).
Scottish Rugby Head of Training & Education, Neil Graham, said: “It is a pleasure to continue this investment in some of Scotland’s most promising coaches.
“I am sure every one of our latest round of coaches will rise to the challenge of completing the UKCC Level 4 course and increasing their expertise and experience.
“Working with sportscotland and Edinburgh Napier University, we are aiming to enhance the opportunities and experiences for coaches at every level.
“This will have a fantastic knock-on effect in the grassroots game as these coaches pass on what they learn throughout the process to players and other coaches.
Edinburgh Napier’s Dr Tony Westbury said: “We are delighted to welcome the new cohort to the programme.
“The previous two cohorts have set the bar very high with some outstanding academic work which has had a positive impact on the standard of coaching across Scotland.
“The graduates from the programme have used their qualification to make the next steps in their coaching careers, include one student who has continued his studies and turned the PG Dip into a master’s degree.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with the new intake throughout the months ahead.”
For more information on UKCC Level 4 and other coaching opportunities in Scotland please visit here.
UKCC Level 4 intake 2018/19
Ciaran Beattie (Scotland Women)
Fin Gillies (High School of Glasgow & Glasgow Hawks)
Derek O’Riordan (Edinburgh Academicals)
Bruce Ruthven (Stewarts Melville College & Scotland U17)
Graham Shiel (Fosroc Scottish Rugby Academy & Scotland U16)
David Wilson (Kelvinside Academy & Scotland U16)