CONCACAF certified D License and goalkeeping coaches receive certificates
– 90 percent pass rate achieved in CONCACAF D Licence Programme
– “Transition Yourself Into A Journey Of Learning” – Forde
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, October 6, 2018
A total of 63 coaches on October 5 received their certificates from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) following the successful completion of a Goalkeeping course and a CONCACAF D Licence course.
At a simple ceremony held on the GFF’s lawns, 20 Goalkeepers, who had completed their course in September 2017, collected their FIFA certificates and 43 CONCACAF D Licensed coaches, who in March this year completed their course, received their certificates from GFF’s President Wayne Forde and Technical Director, Ian Greenwood.
In opening comments, Greenwood said he was pleased with the number of qualified coaches available, including current and former national players, which will aid the improvement of the quality of football in Guyana: “The only way we will improve Guyanese football is to improve the quality of our coaches; so, taking this step to become a licensed coach is a massive one. We have a long way to go but we do have a lot of talented coaches, both male and female, who will really take us forward. You have now hit the first round of the coaching ladder with the CONCACAF D Licence. The next step will be to push towards the CONCACAF C and B Licences. We ask that you continue working with your clubs, the Academy Training Centres and the work which will be done at the level of the Coaching Education Department.”
He urged the coaches to reach out should they feel the need to have support: “The office doors are always open. We want you to engage with us as much as possible. Anytime you want any assistance, if you’d like to have someone come out and help with your sessions, please come and speak to us.” President Forde, in congratulating the coaches, challenged them to commit to a lifetime of learning: “In every aspect of learning, the quality of the teacher oftentimes determines the quality of the student. We have recognized over the years that the fundamentals of the game have not produced the quality of players that we would like to see ply their craft in some of the most advanced and developed corners of the football world. We’ve recognized this as a challenge and we have embarked on an agenda to educate our coaches as much as possible. Some of you are transitioning from a career of playing into a career of teaching. In that transition you must also transition yourself into a journey of learning.”
“In 2015, we had our first (CONCACAF D Licence) training programme, which resulted in a 20 percent pass rate,” said Forde. “The pleasing news is that for the 2017 – 2018 programmes, we have had 90 percent pass rate. When you look at the great distance we have covered in a matter of months, it is an indication of how far we can go if we really commit ourselves.”
He encouraged the coaches to continue to be of service to the game with honour, distinction and be proud of it: “While everyone would be happy to be compensated for the work they do, many of us will have to continue to work in the trenches just giving service to the game. Each and every act of service will amount to something great at some point in our lives. Guyana’s football still needs service. The time will come when many of us will be compensated for the work we do, whether within these shores, within CFU, CONCACAF or further afield but, at this moment, we need service. Don’t just hang your certificates on a wall. Go out there and do the difficult work.
Those young boys and girls need to benefit from the education that you would have received over the past few courses we have had.”
Guyana Football Federation Press Release