Freeport, Bahamas -
The Grand Bahama Girls’ Developmental Soccer League sponsored forty coaches from Grand Bahama for a three day coaching course from September 23- 25, 2014. Participating coaches were awarded two qualifications, Level 1 and Level 2 National Coaches Soccer Association (NSCAA) diplomas.
The Level 1 Diploma is designed to help coaches implement developmentally appropriate training games to improve skill levels in a fun and safe environment. The diploma has three parts, classroom with theory of coaching U6-U8; field work with coaches; and field work with U6-U8 players. Coaches not working at this age group still benefited greatly from an appreciation of the developmental abilities and needs of this important age group. The second diploma had the same format but dealt with children ages 8-10.
Thirty was the actual cutoff number of participants but because of the overwhelming interest, the NSCAA instructor, Erik Didden, agreed to allow forty to attend. Many of the coaches who attended the course coach soccer teams at their respective school, as well as coach in the Grand Bahama Girls’ League. Some coaches from the Freeport Rugby Football Club, the YMCA League and Tabernacle School were also in attendance. Coach Didden was very impressed with the enthusiasm and passion of the coaches and agreed to come back to teach other courses next September. Coach Didden was in Grand Bahama two years ago and conducted a goalkeeping course.
Mary and Donnie Knowles, directors of the Grand Bahama Girls’ Soccer League, were extremely pleased with the turnout of coaches and are confident that they will see some new styles of coaching this year. They would also like to thank the Freeport Rugby Football Club for the use of their facilities and the Pelican Bay Hotel for hosting the visiting coach for the duration of the course.
