English Premier League community coaching course at Ukhanyo

by Vince van der Bijl

21 coaches recently received their Premier Skills certificates after the three-day soccer community coaching course designed by the English Premier League in conjunction with the British Council.

It was so exciting to have coaches come in from the whole of the Valley of the South. They came from Kommetjie, Simonstown, Fish Hoek, Sun Valley and  Noordhoek, from Ocean View and Masiphumelele Township as well as Community Clubs.

The two course leaders were Liezl Windvogel and Nomonde Mashabane who were excellent in their enthusiasm and skills transfer. Many coaches were experienced players and said that going back to basics as the course did gave them and excellent foundation and knowledge of skills transfer to kids.

Importantly, 30% of the coaches were female and the course was directed by females. Ukhanyo is excited by the growth of girls’ sport at the school and its inherent ability to break down the gender barriers.

Playing sport across gender lines has already produced greater respect for each other. In the Sporting Chance Street sport programme all the cricket, soccer and netball teams of 6 had to have at least two players from each gender. Two boys playing netball was a breakthrough! Just magnificent!

While the course had theory naturally, it was interactive. The coaches in the first two days got out on the new field and were put through their skills routines themselves. An important way to learn.

On day three their abilities were tested when 24 Ukhanyo learners arrived and the coaches were given the opportunity to reveal their skills transfer abilities by coaching groups of children. It was a well thought out course in every way.

We are blessed to have hosted that programme and thanks to Let’s Play, Vaughan Bishop, and others who helped arrange the timing and running of the course.

A beautiful way to end the sporting school year. Thanks. Liezl and Nomondo, the 21 participants and Ukhanyo for hosting the event.

It must be remembered that this time last year soccer was not played in the school as it was only a community sport. Now we have Nceba, Siya and Star as the official team coaches of the three teams at Ukhanyo.