The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has now revealed that they happy with the success of their coaching program, which took place in Durban and Stellenbosch. Here's a look.
The story
In March 2024, KNVB in partnership with VFS Global undertook the WorldCoaches program, an initiative aimed at giving participants critical thinking skills and resources required to make key decisions both on and off the pitch.
The global program took place in Stellenbosch and in Durban, seeing a total of 56 coaches accredited with a globally recognised certificate after participating in a five-day workshop that exposed coaches the latest global trends of youth football management," said a statement provided to KickOff.
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The course is said to have hosted over 265 participating players throughout the two weeks, allowing the coaches to exercise the skills they learnt during sessions in a practical way.
SAFA eThekwini technical director, Maxwell Ndlovu, said: "This was truly an eye-opening experience for our coaches. Most of them are keen to learn and empower themselves, and thanks to such a programme, our region is not only producing future coaches but key role models for our communities, thanks to KNVB."
The founder of KNVB WorldCoaches, Johan van Geijn, said: "We are honoured to share our knowledge and experience with these coaches, who are not just coaches but are now role models. Our programmes are uniquely designed to make use of football as a driver for social change, and it is important that our coaches are receptive to both the tactical and social development divisions of the programme. We wish all the coaches the best of luck, and sincerely thank SAFA eThekwini for providing us with the platform."
The head of VFS Global Sub Saharan Africa, Hariprasad Vishwanathan, added: "Through this programme, we are not only equipping coaches with the latest in football tactics but also instilling in them a sense of social responsibility. Through such initiatives that also empower young people to stay in school, we're shaping not just athletes, but future leaders by providing coaches with the tools to be role models.
"Our investment in South Africa underscores our dedication to youth empowerment worldwide, harnessing sports to pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future."
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