TTFF News - TTFF sets up coaching exchange program with Dutch Academy

TTFF sets up coaching exchange program with Dutch Academy

 

Issued by Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Media Officer, June 26, 2007

 

The recent initiative involving the hosting of the three part Coaching symposium by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation with the Dutch KNVB Academy has signaled the beginning of a coaching exchange program between both organizations.

 

This was the revelation coming from TTFF technical director Lincoln Phillips as he reflected on the symposiums which took place last month under the full patronage of the local governing body

 

Out of  large number of local coaches who participated in the symposiums, two of them, Jefferson George and Reynold Carrington were offered the opportunity to attend further coaching courses in Holland.

 

“In the very near future opportunities will be opened for T&T coaches, not only to attend courses/symposiums, but also for our professional coaches to visit with their Dutch counterparts in coaching as well as team exchange programs,” Phillips told TTFF Media.

 

 The Technical Director is currently also engaging in discussions regarding special courses for the coaches of the Pro and Super Leagues during the off season.

 

The T&TFF/KNVB License Courses   will provide a logical progression to those coaches who have been successful on the D level courses. These courses (C,B and A Level courses) will be conducted by the KNVB in collaboration with the T&TFF Technical Department. 

 

Phillips,who gave credit to Special Adviser Jack Warner as well as the Sportt Company for its support in the recent venture,  explained that: In 2007- the C License will be taught by instructors from the KNVB; In 2008- the C license will be taught by all local coaches of the T&TFF National Coaching Staff as the instructors of the KNVB conduct the B license;  In 2009- the T&T local Staff coaches will conduct the C and B level courses as the KNVB instructors conduct the A license and In 2010- the local coaches will be coaching all three national courses at the C, B,  and A levels.

 

The Trinidad & Tobago Football Coaches Association (TTFCA)  which is due to come on stream within one month is poised to develop into a vibrant organization designed to meet the needs of Trinidad & Tobago coaches.  All members of the TTFCA will be entitled to attend coaching courses subsidized by the T&TFF and the Sports Company of T&T at a drastically reduced fee. In addition, Coaches Association members will have access to the T&TFF national film library consisting of well over three hundred books and coaching DVD’s on all aspects of the game.  It is envisioned in the very near future that the T&TFCA will be responsible for submitting names of coaches for national selection to the T&TFF.

 

The administrators of the Trinidad & Tobago Football Coaches Association will reach out to Coaches Associations worldwide to share best practices for developing coaches, players and management. Contact has already been made with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and the Black Soccer Coaches Committee (BSCC)…..this association is falls under the umbrella of the NSCAA.

 

In addition, the T&TFCA will honour coaches, volunteers, administrators and players for their contribution in football on an annual basis.

 

Specialized Coaching Workshops will be conducted in areas such as Sports Management, Sports Medicine, Nutrition, Football Fitness, Goalkeeping, Life skills and how to Choose the Right University (for football scholarships: location, style of coaching, nationality of coaches, size of classes etc)

 

All licensed coaches will be strongly encouraged to attend these specialized workshops as part of their continuing education program.  In this way the TTFF’s  certified coaches will always remain current with the up to date methods of coaching.

 

Note: The Royal Dutch Academy (KNVB) was chosen by the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation to work in conjunction with the T&T Technical Department in developing and improving the coaching methods of coaches working with individuals at all levels of participation.  Nico Labohm a KVNB Instructor out of Holland and Kenneth Juliens – KNVB Instructor from Surinam were the instructors for the course.