The Scottish FA Coach Education Department have this week welcomed a new intake onto the UEFA Pro-Licence, with 20 new candidates taking part in the introductory two-day meet-up at the National Stadium.

Among the varied group are several former Scotland internationals, along with coaches working in the men's, women's and youth games, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Hearts Head Coach Steven Naismith is among the group, while David Gray is another who gained Premiership experience at the end of the season as Hibernian Interim Head Coach.

Rangers Women's Head Coach Jo Potter is also completing the award and she was back at Hampden Park only days after lifting the Scottish Gas Women's Scottish Cup with Rangers on Sunday.

Another highly regarded coach in the women's game who is on the course is Filipa Patao, who led Benfica Women to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League earlier this season.

Ayr United manager Scott Brown and Partick Thistle manager Kris Doolan both represent the Scottish Championship, with Charlie Adam currently managing Fleetwood Town in League Two in England.

It is an international field, with coaches currently working in the likes of Finland, Germany, Portugal, as well as other parts of the United Kingdom, while there are some more familiar names in Charlie Mulgrew, Darren McGregor and Jonny Hayes who have all recently played in the Scottish top flight.

The Scottish FA Coach Education Department only welcomed the latest group onto the prestigious course 12 months ago and 20 candidates are currently completing the award - aiming to graduate in 2025. Due to increased demand, the Scottish FA was permitted by UEFA to run a second course alongside the current one.

Greig Paterson, Head of Coach Education and Development, Scottish FA: “It’s hugely exciting for us to be able to welcome a new group of students onto the UEFA Pro-Licence alongside the current cohort who are nearing the midpoint of their course.

“There have been a significant number of coaches who had expressed an interest in completing the award and we are delighted we were able to confirm another course to accommodate.

"It's exciting to embark on this journey with this group over the next two years as they progress in their coaching careers with us.

“To be able to welcome such a strong and diverse group, so quickly after launching our most recent Pro-Licence course, is a reflection not only on the strength and depth of personnel involved in the Scottish game but also the success of our own Coach Education pathway.”

The line-up in full: 

Charlie Adam, Manager, Fleetwood Town FC
Adam Asghar, Under-21s Head Coach, Southampton FC
Ceri Bowley, Technical Advisor, Various
Scott Brown, Manager, Ayr United FC
Cameron Campbell, Under-19 Head Coach & Talent Development, RB Leipzig
Craig Clark, First Team Technical Coach, Kilmarnock FC
Stephen Clarke, Scotland Men's Under-16 Head Coach & Braidhurst Scottish FA Performance School Head Coach
Paul Cowie, Academy Director, Dundee United FC
Kris Doolan, Manager, Partick Thistle FC
David Gray, First Team Assistant Coach, Hibernian FC
Stevie Grieve, Head Coach, SJK Seinajoki 
David Haley, Assistant Coach, Celtic Women FC
Jonathan Hayes, Player, Aberdeen FC
Darren McGregor, Under-18 Head Coach, Hibernian FC
Charles Mulgrew, unattached
Craig Mulholland, Head of Football Development and Talent Manager, Nottingham Forest FC
Steven Naismith, Head Coach, Heart of Midlothian FC
Filipa Patao, Head Coach, Benfica Women FC
Jo Potter, Head Coach, Rangers Women FC
Ferran Sibila, Head Coach, HJK Helsinki