Rowe optimistic amidst the challenges

Colwyn Rowe, Technical Director employed with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF), is holding an optimistic view that this country’s football can rise again.{{more}}

Rowe, in an interview with SEARCHLIGHT last week Sunday, May 1, at the new SVGFF’s Secretariat, located in the Nicholl’s Building at Bentinck Square, said he has seen some football talent, but there needs to be some discipline injected.

“In general, there is some talent here, but we lack discipline in terms of concentration,” Rowe said.

Outlining ways in which the sport can see a resurgence, the English-born Rowe said: “We have to work hard to come to training when you are called, work with the zones, with the kiddies, work hard with the coaches and work hard with everything.”

Rowe is hoping that, with the systems put in place, St. Vincent and the Grenadines can begin to compete with many of its regional counterparts, but must be able to do so in the soonest possible time.

“We must be able to compete with the national teams around the region in the short term future, and I am not talking about the next ten years or so, I am talking about the year or so, and be able to beat teams like Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica in the future now and again,” Rowe projected.

However, cautious in his approach, the Technical Director stated, “Let us get the things done, but you can’t just click your fingers.”

Since taking up his appointment, Rowe has conducted three certification courses for Level One coaches. In total, 48 persons have been certified.

The Level One certification enables coaches to conduct basic training sessions, which is a stepping stone to the more advanced Level Two.

The Executive of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation is looking forward to training a cadre of 200 coaches by 2012, hence the emphasis on certification.

In addition, the SVGFF is mandating that all teams/clubs participating in its national competitions, have at least one certified local coach.

“We are putting things into place all over the country, as we are trying to put a coaching philosophy in place,” Rowe said.

Apart from conducting the courses, Rowe said he has been meeting with managers of the Premier Division Clubs, in order to synchronise the programmes, so that everyone can be on the same page.

Rowe admits there are several constraints, including financial disadvantages, which must be considered in moving forward.

Rowe entered the local football fray in January, following the sacking of former Technical Director Samuel Carrington, last November.

Rowe is the fourth person of British connection to be employed in the post of Technical Director of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation.

Before him were Jim Conway, Kittian-born Englishman Cess Podd and John Stewart- Hall.