Saint Lucian coaches are being equipped with the skills to guide the next generation of local football professionals towards success.
Last Friday, the Saint Lucia Football Association Inc. (SLFA), with support from five CONCACAF coaching instructors, launched a specialised training programme, Train the Trainers, at its headquarters in La Clery. The initiative brings together seven local coaches for a series of sessions designed to enhance their expertise and coaching methodologies.
The programme goes beyond tactical development on the pitch, also focusing on coaching philosophies and improving man-management skills. The three-day training forms part of the CONCACAF Coaching Convention, which promotes standardised coaching education across the football confederation’s member states.
“This course is training coaches from Saint Lucia to develop other coaches here to that standard,” said Ces Podd, SLFA Technical Director in an interview with St Lucia Times. “These are individuals who have been working with us for quite some time to get our coaching programme up to speed.”
Speaking about the feedback from the sessions thus far, the former St Kitts and Nevis fullback noted that the familiarity between the facilitators and attendees was a significant advantage.
“The key point is that the facilitators who came in have been working with us for a while, so they understand our current standard and what needs to be done. It’s been good. Even though it’s intense, a lot of learning has taken place this morning,” Podd shared.
Looking ahead, Podd believes the initiative is crucial for advancing Saint Lucian football.
“I think it’s time for us to be ready to join the convention. We want to develop coaches in line with the progress of our national team,” he said.
“We haven’t won any tournaments recently, and I hope that changes soon. The only way that will happen is if we upgrade our coaches. Our goal is to raise the coaching level to help us produce winners, qualify for a World Cup, or win another tournament.”
