Inside the FAW Pro Licence: The Welsh Way of Coaching Excellence

The Welsh Way: Inside the ‘Harvard of Coaching’ at FAW Pro Licence

In a hotel conference room in Newport, Gael Clichy and Brandi Chastain are deep in a virtual football simulation, while former Premier League midfielder Yohan Cabaye analyzes Brighton’s press. This isn’t a tech demo—it’s one of the final modules of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in football.

Described by Nuri Şahin, former Dortmund and Real Madrid midfielder, as the “Harvard for coaching”, the FAW’s course is becoming a gold standard in coach education, attracting a diverse group of global football figures—from Thierry Henry and Mikel Arteta to current candidates like Dante, Rhian Wilkinson, and Jonathan Walters.

A Cohort Beyond Borders

The 2025 Pro Licence class includes names from all levels of the game:

• Dante, still playing at the top level for Nice

• Rhian Wilkinson, Wales women’s manager

• Clichy, part of Arsenal’s Invincibles

• Richard Davies, coaching Caernarfon Town in the Cymru Premier

Despite their differing backgrounds, they’ve formed a tight-knit group. “It feels like a family,” says Dante. “We learn together, we do everything together.”

Not Just Football: The All Blacks, Army Missions & More

This is no ordinary classroom. Candidates have undergone military-style exercises including sleep-deprived missions, learning how pressure affects real-time decisions. Şahin researched the All Blacks to study culture-driven performance. Presentations require emotional vulnerability: participants share their history, heartache, heroes, and hopes—a powerful equalizer among elite athletes and grassroots coaches alike.

“The food was minimal, we were exhausted,” says Clichy, reflecting on the army trip. “But it taught us how to adapt under pressure, just like in a game.”

Forging Lifelong Friendships

Beyond tactics, this course builds something deeper. “I’ve taken strength from hearing people’s stories,” says Adie Harvey, Wales U16 coach. “Everyone’s had tragedy or setbacks. It unites us.”

Davies adds, “Without this course, I’d never meet someone like Dante. Now we’re close friends.”

Empowering Women in Coaching

Two-time World Cup winner Brandi Chastain and Wilkinson are pivotal in shaping a space for women in a male-dominated industry.

“Activity through sport gives young girls their voice,” says Chastain. “And good coaches make the difference.”

Wilkinson adds, “This course opens doors for women like me to lead and mentor. Learning here is constant—and shared.”

Modern Meets Traditional: Bellamy, Martin & Pulis

While new-age philosophies dominate—Craig Bellamy’s emotional intelligence and Russell Martin’s possession blueprint—the FAW also values the old school.

Enter Tony Pulis, who returns home to Newport to deliver a rainy masterclass on set-pieces. His stories of moving goalposts on tractors and coaching among dog-walkers contrast with today’s tech-driven sessions—but land with impact.

“Set-pieces matter,” says Pulis. “Arteta’s proving that. You’ve got to love the game to coach it.”

The Welsh Way: More Than a Philosophy

FAW chief football officer Dave Adams, who leads the Pro Licence, explains the guiding ethos:

“We are small but agile. ‘Together Stronger’ is not just a slogan—it’s how we work across all levels of Welsh football.”

Adams continues, “This course is reality-based. It reflects what today’s coaches face: tactics, leadership, emotions, pressure. It’s why coaches like Arteta, Martinez, and Cooper come through here.”

Global Reputation, Local Roots

With 400 applicants for just 20 spots every two years, the FAW Pro Licence is one of the most selective coaching courses in Europe. It’s helped Welsh football punch far above its weight—on and off the field.

“Why dream small?” Adams concludes. “We dream big. That’s the Welsh Way.”