Football - Coaches look to bolster training skills ahead of bigger challenges |24 August 2017

A group of 21 coaches have since Monday been taking a national coaching license course which will enable them to better serve their respective teams, while it is also a preparation for those looking to take the Confederation of African Football (Caf) C licenses in the future.

The course has both theoretical and practical elements and is being led by six local coaching instructors. One of the instructors told Sports NATION that since the Caf C license can be quite tough, this local license can prepare the coaches to be better equipped to complete it, as in the past some coaches have struggled as they did not have any prior coaching knowledge.

Of the 21 coaches, most are former and current players who are looking to venture into coaching, while the group also includes two foreign players, two women and even beach soccer coaches and players.

Programme coordinator Gavin Jeanne said he is very pleased with the turnout, although more were to take part, but work constraints have not permitted them to make it.

“With this course, we want to certify our coaches, which is something Caf requires all its members to do, while this will also help our coaches to learn more,” said Jeanne.

He added: “We also have a need for more qualified coaches to work with the youth as there is a lot of emphasis on youth development, while the coaches themselves also gain the necessary baggage to better tackle the Caf continental C License.”

Mr Jeanne also explained that without this local license, aspiring coaches will not be able to follow the Caf License. In fact, according to Mr Jeanne, this local license actually takes 60 of the 120 hours required to complete the Caf C license, which means that upon completion the coaches will only be required to complete another 60 hours of the Caf C license course, rather than the full 120 hours.

With regards to the beach soccer players, Mr Jeanne explained that “football is football, first and foremost and coaches need to learn the basic coaching methodologies and that is what they can get here. After that, it is up to them if they want to follow higher course in their respective fields, which also includes goalkeeping coaches.”

On Saturday, the coaches will be assessed, after which they will be presented with the certificates at the Maison Football.

S. N.