Local coach earns UEFA A license

Michael Edwards achieved a remarkable milestone when he obtained his UEFA A License recently, a qualification held by few in the country.

The Bedfordview resident has been a coach at St Benedict’s College for five years.

When he joined St Benedict’s, he started at the preparatory school where he was head of sports.

In March, he moved to the college and is currently coaching the first team (U19) while also developing a programme for the other age groups.

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On obtaining his UEFA A License, he said, “Education is a huge part of anyone’s development. My dad told me from a young age to be successful, you have to be a lifelong learner.

“In South Africa, the amount of courses is limited.

“I want to bet on myself first of all, but ultimately I want to impact the players I am coaching.

“For me, it was about getting that knowledge and gaining those experiences so I can bring it back to my players and share it with them.”

He started playing soccer at an early age and even attempted to play professionally.

Edwards took up coaching to make a positive impact on aspiring soccer players.

“I made some mistakes growing up. It was always about trying to teach the new generation about those mistakes and hopefully, they don’t make the same ones,” he said.

His journey with coaching began 12 years ago when he joined Arbor Primary School in Benoni while pursuing a marketing management qualification.

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“That was when I realised my love for working with young people and teaching them different things about sports, and since then it has been from school to school trying to find where I fit best.

“I tried corporate for six months, but sitting at a desk, I couldn’t do that,” shared Edwards.

He said St Benedict’s has been the best place for him to express himself as a coach and instil his ideas to young players.

He said coaching requires skills in dealing with diverse personalities, showcasing leadership, empathy, and adaptability.

His goal is to build sustainability for juniors and seniors at the school.

“Ultimately, I want to be in the professional game, so I am always working and striving to get into one of those PSL teams.

“Adding value wherever I can.”

His take on the state of South African football is that it lacks empowerment, especially with development.

He is also coaching a team in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) and said the coaches they are playing against, even with teams in the PSL, don’t have qualifications.

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“This is why the standard of our football is not improving.

“Unqualified people are coaching these big academies and they are winning leagues and things like that.

“But is it because of the expertise that they have or is it because of the brand that they are working for?”