The Barbados Football Association (BFA), the National Sports Council, and the Division of Youth Affairs have implemented a strategy to train coaches at the community level throughout Barbados.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, indicated this at the launch of the BFA’s “D” License Coaching Course, held at the BFA’s Headquarters, Wildey, St. Michael, this morning.
Mr. Griffith stated that he was very pleased that the BFA responded to his call for National Federations to partner with the Ministry, noting that it was “coming at an opportune time because you’re coming smack in the middle of a World Cup and there is hype on the ground in relation to football.”
He told those participating in the basic level course that he expected them to, “hone their skills”, and impart the knowledge they obtained.
“I have 32 Youth Officers who cover the whole country. So, I will be tracking all of the names that I’m seeing here on the sheet to ensure that you are working with the community team to hone your skills, but to also develop the sports at grassroots level. So, if it is the case that when this is finished, and there’s time for the next level of coaching and you’re not working with the community group, then it makes no sense we continue to train you because you’re not imparting the knowledge that you got from this one into those groups,” Minister Griffith stated.
The course, which has 28 participants from across the island, focuses on developing foundation skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for coaches to serve as positive role models in their environment, while observing the core elements of the BFA’s mission of developing children through sports and shaping society.
The “D” License Coaching course runs from December 16, 2022, to January 8, 2023.