More Football coaches certified

The list of certified Football coaches available to propel the sport from a technical stand point continues to grow.

This as another set of D licence coaches emerged from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College’s (SVGCC)Applied Associates Degree in Sports Science Programme.

Seventy-two persons, of which 27 came from cohort two, and 45 from cohort three, along with others from the wider Vincentian community, received their certificates on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, during a ceremony held at the Students Union Hall at the Villa Campus of the SVGCC.

The programme, which is done in conjunction with the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF), turned out other licensed coaches from the national Football organization responsible for imparting the knowledge to the students, and those from the various communities.

As the new coaches are fresh with their acquired knowledge, they have been challenged to optimize and maximise their opportunities. Football Association President, Otashie Spring, urged them to apply themselves.

“We want to encourage you guys not to stay there, get involved, join a club get involved with the leagues, get involved with respect of the national programmes …We want to ensure that we have the environment that is basically … going to provide you with the necessary practical experience to which you can be rewarded as well.”

The Federation’s Director of Technical Matters, Theon Gordon, who oversaw the licensing exercise, in imploring the recipients, called on them to create their own niches.

“It is for us to build an environment where you are able to build your passion, learn about it and then can you now share the knowledge that we have given you ….

“The hope again that it will not stay here with you …You take it back to your clubs, communities, you build organisations and you continue to promote and push the knowledge that we shared with you,” Gordon proffered.

Sports Coordinator at the SVGCC, Roxell John, later noted that the coaching course was incorporated into the Skills and Technique of Sports 1- Football, one of the core courses offered in the three-year-old Applied Associates Degree in Sports Sciences programme.

John said that other similar courses are pursued during the two -year programme with a view of equipping the students on graduation not just with the Associates Degree in Sports Sciences, but also with as many possible sports related certificates that can enhance their pursuits in their lives after completing their stints at the College.