Former Celtic Women’s & Girls’ Academy boss Paul Brownlie has been appointed High Performance Football Manager at the Scottish FA National Performance Centre for Women’s Football.
Brownlie will look to build on the success of the academy and help develop the next batch of Scotland stars from its headquarters at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
He will replace Willie Kirk who has left for a new post in England.
Paul said: “I am delighted to take up the role as the new High Performance Football Manager at Heriot-Watt University.
“My philosophy has always been about the player and the person, using a very holistic approach both on and off the pitch. I have always been a huge fan of the programme, we have real talent within the National Performance Centre. It’s my job now to support the players to ensure that each player can reach their full potential.”
“We are already seeing players make the transition into National Women’s A Squad which will be one of the goals for each player and with Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, opening at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Campus in Autumn 2016 it will be an exciting time for everyone connected to the Centre.
“I would like to thank Willie Kirk for the job he has previously done at the Centre, it’s now down to myself and fellow staff members to continue to take the programme from strength to strength.”
The Scottish FA Women’s Performance Centre structure provides players with the opportunity to combine football with their studies. There is currently one National Performance Centre based at Heriot-Watt University, plus regional centres around the country.
The aim is to help young players to achieve or maintain a place in Scotland’s national squads, whilst encouraging them to continue their studies in Scotland.
Scotland National Coach Anna Signeul is looking forward to seeing the benefits that Paul’s input will have on the National Women’s team:
“Paul has fantastic pedigree in the women’s game, particularly when it comes to developing young players, and we’re delighted to welcome him aboard.
“This is a very exciting time for the Women’s National Performance Centre. The programme is already starting to bear fruit, with a number of students having established themselves within the Scotland women’s national teams. The opening of Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, at Heriot Watt University next year will build on the already fantastic facilities, training and support programmes available to the players and staff.
“I look forward to working with Paul, and all of the staff and partners within the programme, to continue to shape the future of the women’s game in Scotland.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
