Football student secures place on UEFA course

A second-year football student at the University of Wolverhampton has hit the back of the net by landing a place on a UEFA coaching course.  

Madison Highfield, a BSc (Hons) Football Coaching and Performance student, will begin a UEFA B Licence coaching course in February 2025.  

The course will focus on practical and theory elements of the game, including different types of on-field practices and a variety of off-field workshops. 

Madison, 19, from Dudley, is already coaching at The Birmingham City Foundation as the Under 10’s Head Coach. She is also the Under 10’s Head Coach at the Birmingham City Women’s Academy.  

Having been awarded a place on the UEFA B coaching course, Madison said: “To have gained a place on the course is very exciting. I understand the hard work, dedication and desire that is required to be awarded a place on the programme so to be recognised for this was an amazing feeling.” 

Madison has also praised the University for the role it has played in her development. She said: “The support provided by my lecturers has been brilliant. They all get a real understanding of who you are as a coach and as a person and how they can help to support you in being a better coach. They also provide me with challenges to push my learning and drive me to be better.  

“During my time at University, all the lecturers have provided me and other students with opportunities that help us in our learning, including trips to the local academies at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Walsall and West Bromwich Albion.  

“These opportunities have given me exposure to real life work settings, build new contacts to network and engage with but also motivation to continue working hard with the support I have around me at the University.   

“Without these experiences and support, I would not have as much confidence, self-belief and motivation to be in the positions I am today.”  

On her future ambitions, Madison said: “My academic targets for the future are to finish University with a First Class Degree and a completed UEFA B License.  

“My career targets long-term is to be working full-time in professional women’s football. I'd love to work within a first-team professional environment or even internationally. As well as this, I want to be able to have opportunities to help young female coaches to find their place in football and provide them a platform to thrive.”  

Anyone interested in studying for courses at the School of Sport at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.     

To find out more about graduate success, check out the Every Story Has a Start web page which showcases our exceptional alumni across the globe doing incredible things. High achievers from the worlds of literature, business, sport, film and the arts feature, sharing how their lives and careers have developed since their days studying with us.