34 soccer coaches earn D licences at Vosloorus coaching festival
Thirty-four coaches obtained their D coaching licences during a coaching festival hosted by the Vosloorus Football Association (VFA) at the Vosloorus Stadium on September 28.
The coaching D licence course ran from September 21 to 28 as part of the festival. The licence qualifies all 34 coaches to professionally coach players in the foundation or introduction phases – players younger than 12.
Daniel ‘Zero 2 Six’ Sihlangu, who was jubilant to receive his D licence, said he believes the coaching license will open other opportunities for him in the soccer fraternity.
“We started the coaching course on September 21, and it wasn’t an easy road for us, but I’m glad we all succeeded against all odds. Most coaches who enrolled in the coaching course are local coaches who had no coaching qualifications before obtaining these D coaching licences. It’s a milestone for all of us.
“We learned a lot about soccer and coaching during the course, especially on how to train and coach players from different levels of football. Now, I understand that not all soccer players are trained and coached the same way,” explained Sihlangu.
He added he will change many things as a coach going forward.
“From here, I want to attain the next level – the C coaching licence – which will also help me to improve my coaching techniques and styles. It will also allow me to coach players beyond the foundation phase in football,” Sihlangu said.
Coach Gugulethu ‘Last Born’ Mzila, 22, was a qualifying recipient and said he was happy he earned the D license because he had always wanted to.
“Through the coaching course, I realised there’s a lot I did wrong as a coach, and I want to change it.
“My primary goal as a coach is to produce players who will play soccer at a professional level. I want to encourage other coaches to take advantage of such opportunities in soccer. This is to ensure trainee coaches can get their licences because having some form of recognition as professional football coaches is essential for them,” Mzila explained.
He said he believes the coaching techniques he learnt from the training will improve his coaching.
The technical head at the VFA, Dan Ndlovu, said they had asked coaches to enrol for the course because they believe having a licence will benefit them in the long run.
“Currently, the coaches are equipped with the vital tools to coach players in the foundation or introduction phases, and that stage is crucial for any player.
“This is our first time offering this coaching course to the coaches, but we hope to have more of these initiatives as the VFA,” Ndlovu concluded.
