Leeds Carnegie held their first ever UEFA B Licence last week at Headingley campus and, despite monsoon style weather, all 21 coaches have fed back their delight at the course.

It took place over six days and the coaches return this weekend to complete their programme of learning.

They will then build up their coaching portfolios back at their clubs before returning for extra support days and assessments.

Amongst the coaches were, from the NCEL, Hall Road Rangers' Jamie Barnwell, Winterton Rangers' James O'Neil and Carnegie's James Earl.

Other clubs represented were Farsley Celtic, Hull City, Derby County, North Ferriby and Ossett Albion to name a few.

Barnwell, writing in programme notes for Hall Road's match against Lincoln Moorlands Railway this weekend, said: "It's been a fantastic week, and I would recommend using Leeds Met Carnegie to anyone serious about their coaching portfolio.

"The course is physically and mentally demanding, but gratifying at the same time. It has given me plenty of food for thought and fresh ideas for working with the players here.

"The course is organised by John Hall who is director of football at Carnegie and responsible for their NCEL side of the same name.

"The course has had lots of guest speakers, which isn't the norm, but has added greatly to the course.

"Tracey Neville, with 80 caps for England at netball discussed nutrition and the importance of fuelling in the modern game, you may have heard of her brothers?!

"We were also lucky enough to have Simon Smith cover our goal keeping topics. Simon was goal keeping coach at Newcastle for seven years, developing Shay Given and Steve Harper, such is his pedigree he is now responsible for the England elite crop of young goal keepers.

"All this was overseen by two of the best coach educators around in Mick Mathews, a former Hall Road manager and Steve Lister."

John Hall, Director of Football at Carnegie, said: "A lot of hard work and effort has gone in behind the scenes to enable this to happen, from administrators to ground staff and of course the tutors.

"We have also received great support from the Northern Counties East League who along with the Regional County FAs were able to promote the course via their respective websites, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for that.

"Our intention from the outset was to offer coaches something which they would remember and would make an impact and thus ensuring a great learning experience.

"Overall, the candidates have a way to go but I am delighted with what everyone has achieved so far. My aim is to ensure that we can build on this achievement so that a Carnegie B licence becomes a fixture in the calendar."

For more information about coaching courses held at Leeds Carnegie please go to www.leedsmet.ac.uk/sport.