Tigers and Partick Thistle FC Team Up to Deliver SVQ in Sports Coaching, Championing Vocational Education and Youth Development
In an exciting partnership rooted in shared values and a commitment to young people’s development, Tigers, one of Scotland’s leading training providers, has joined forces with Partick Thistle Football Club to deliver a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Sports Coaching to players within the club’s Youth Academy.
The initiative is more than a qualification. It’s a holistic approach to personal growth and professional readiness, designed to give academy players the chance to earn a nationally recognised coaching certificate while developing the key skills and confidence needed to thrive both in football and beyond.
At the heart of this collaboration is Tigers’ values-based ethos, grounded in love, integrity, curiosity, and courage. These values are lived out through relationship-led practices that prioritise connection, trust, and individual growth. This unique approach ensures that each young person is seen, heard, and supported, not just as an athlete, but as a whole person.
Tigers said: “This partnership isn’t just about a qualification. It’s about giving young people meaningful opportunities to grow through connection. We believe in creating learning environments where love, integrity, curiosity, and courage are at the core, and that’s exactly what this programme offers through our work with Partick Thistle.”
Delivered through a blend of hands-on coaching experiences and reflective learning, the SVQ course covers key areas such as session planning, safe practice in sport, inclusive coaching, and community engagement. Players are also supported to deliver coaching sessions in real-world environments, building leadership and communication skills through practical experience.
Partick Thistle FC added: “We’re proud to partner with Tigers on this forward-thinking initiative. Our Academy is about more than developing footballers, it’s about developing people. Embedding a values-led coaching qualification into our programme gives our young players the tools and mindset to succeed wherever life takes them.”
The SVQ in Sports Coaching now forms a core part of the Academy’s personal development programme, offering a vital alternative pathway for players whose futures may lie outside professional football. It also strengthens the club’s connection to the wider community, with players gaining experience in delivering coaching to local schools and grassroots groups.
Together, Tigers and Partick Thistle FC are showing how sport and education can come together to create powerful, purpose-driven opportunities for young people, all built on strong values, meaningful relationships, and a belief in the potential of every individual.