Dick Bate Education Packages 2026!

About Dick Bate

A career in the game which lasted more than 50 years and a legacy which is timeless

Born in Yorkshire in 1946, Dick Bate began his football journey as a player in the semi-professional game. In 1975, he turned to coaching — a decision that launched a remarkable 40-year career at the very forefront of global coach education.

Serving as an Academy Director, Coach Educator, National Technical Director and Elite Coaching Manager, Dick’s influence on the game was profound. He held senior roles with The Football Association, the Canada Soccer Association, and numerous professional clubs, shaping systems, standards and people wherever he worked.

Dick was a co-author of the highly acclaimed Future Game Coaching Programme, widely regarded as one of the most influential coach education programmes of the past 50 years.

As an educator, his reach was extraordinary. He tutored future leaders such as Gareth Southgate and Sean Dyche, alongside thousands of coaches worldwide through his long association with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now United Soccer Coaches).

Following his passing, Dick left behind a vast and invaluable body of work — thousands of sessions, tactical insights, and teaching frameworks. In 2026, The Coaching Manual, in partnership with his Estate and the Giles Trust, is preserving this legacy to inspire and educate future generations.