HE’S not yet 30 but Newport’s James Rowberry is already as qualified as the great and the good of football management.

Rowberry has just become one of the youngest people in the world to gain his UEFA Pro License after successfully completing the course at Newport’s Dragon Park under the tutelage of Football Association of Wales technical director Osian Roberts.

The 29-year-old is a former assistant director of the Newport County AFC Academy, where he worked for more than three years.

Rowberry, who already holds the UEFA A, B and C licences, then went on to work as a football development officer for the Welsh Football Trust.

He then joined Cardiff City Football Club's academy coaching set-up in the summer of 2013 as lead development coach for youngsters aged between 12 and 16.

Rowberry started his football playing career with County’s Youth Academy aged 16 after being released by Bristol City.

He then went onto university at Swansea and Newport and stopped playing football aged 21 to pursue a coaching career.

Speaking on his latest achievement, FAW technical director Roberts told the Argus: “James is one of the brightest young coaches coming through and it’s great for Welsh football that someone his age holds a UEFA Pro License.

“There are a few coaches out there claiming to be the youngest and most qualified but I don’t think anyone can compare with what James has done at just 29.

“He’s a real student of the game and he’s very ambitious.

“He wants to learn all the time and know everything there is to know about different coaching methods.

“He may be young but he’s quite experienced as well,” added Roberts.

“He was managing the Wales under-16 girls’ team with us a few years ago and now he’s got a great role at Cardiff City so he’s got a lot of credibility for someone so young.”