| NSCAA in Africa |
|
In early October 2006, the NSCAA ran a Regional Diploma course in Uganda in conjunction with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA). The course was offered in Arua, a town located in the northwestern corner of Uganda, close to the borders with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The course was coordinated by new NSCAA tutor Spencer Harris, who was certified while working with Major League Soccer Camps. Spencer was in Uganda working as a volunteer project coordinator for the Toronto-based humanitarian organization Right To Play (RTP).
While working with RTP, Spencer recognized the need for some basic coach education. Although there is a very active football community in Arua, and for many people it is the be-all and end-all, with a lot of football being played and a lot of coaching going on, it was very clear that the quality of coaching could easily be improved with some basic technical pointers and more emphasis on principles such as Organize, Observe, and Instruct.
Most of the international soccer associations that have visited Uganda have focused on Kampala, the country’s capital, making it difficult both financially and distance-wise for people in the north to attend, which explains the exceptionally high demand for the course in Arua. Spencer received more than 60 applications from all over the north west of Uganda, as local leagues, football associations, schools, colleges and individual coaches all vied to secure a place on the course.
Selections were made by representatives of FUFA together with the course tutor and were based on experience, activeness (how active the coach is within local youth soccer clubs), the age group that the coach works with and where the coach lives and works. The panel selected sixteen coaches to attend the course.
The course itself brought together different nationalities, including locals from Arua, residents of other nearby towns and villages as well as refugees from South Sudan. The course was more than a coach education program; it built new friendships or, in the words of the participants, it “brought together new brothers (and one sister!)”.
All participants attended the course over five days, for both field and classroom training each day. The course included practical and theoretical assessments to ensure that the participants understood the technical coaching points as well as the principles and philosophies included in the course syllabus.
Bruno Oribi Oponjuru from Nebbi emailed Spencer with this feedback: “Thank you for the wonderful course, I have now embarked upon my coaching seriously and there is already a lot of improvement.” Also Asiku Stephen from Miatangacia wrote, “Thank you my friend, this course has helped me to develop my skills and give my people better coaching and helped me to help them develop their skills.” Dudo Bosco from Arua Kids League added that this course would “change his life” by providing him with the basic skills and understanding to help him develop as a coach. On day 5 of the course, towards the end all 16 participants were eager to know when the NSCAA would be returning and delivering the Advanced Regional Diploma.
 Spencer, who is now back in England, says, “It is difficult from this great distance to really measure and gauge the true success and impact of this course, but one thing is definite – all of the participants enjoyed themselves, enhanced their understanding and gained knowledge that they are now applying in the field. This is a great thing and the NSCAA have played a crucial role in making it happen.”
In a country such as Uganda, where there is so much need and so much demand for so many things, the question for us in more developed countries is what role—if any—we should have in developing football. How can we help the global football community? Should we help? Should FIFA, the NSCAA, USSF and others play a more proactive role in working together with other nations in the interest of worldwide coach development? The FA has a proactive international relations department – but capacity and reach are major challenges. Could there be a worldwide partnership that shares resources, knowledge and capacity to ensure more of this type of work is delivered? There are different rationales and different arguments, but a result of this course, Arua and the surrounding area now has 16 better skilled people to go and coach its kids the beautiful game..
|
|
| The Technical Area, NSCAA eNewsletter |
 |
|
|
 |
| Soccer Journal - Published seven times a year in print and once annually online, Soccer Journal is the Official Publication of NSCAA and is one of the few publications in the world produced exclusively for soccer coaches. learn more |
| Insurance - Members in the United States automatically receive $1 million in professional liability insurance, providing coverage for most soccer-related activities. learn more |
| Academy Programs - The benchmark of soccer coaching education is the NSCAA Coaching Academy program. learn more |
| Convention - The NSCAA Convention is "The World's Largest Annual Gathering of Soccer Coaches." Held each January learn more |
| Awards and Recognition - The NSCAA administers an outstanding awards and recognition program which includes Coach of the Year, All-America, long-term service and special recognition awards, designed to recognize excellence in soccer, academics and service to the game. learn more |
| Licensed Apparel - A full line of distinctive coaching gear sets you apart as a member of the NSCAA through our licensed apparel program with adidas. learn more |
| For more details, please proceed to the Benefits of NSCAA Membership Page |
|
|
