Four Tembisa soccer coaches ready to teach the community
Local Premier Skills coach educator Nomonde Mashabane is an example of how successful the programme had been.
Four local football coaches recently participated in the Premier Skills Phase Two Global Football Coaching and Referee Development Programme, an international grassroots football programme.
The participants were Sithembiso Buthelezi, Makarena Mokoena, Katlego Maphakola and Mavela Madhlala. They are expected to impart their newly acquired skills and knowledge to communities and schools.
Held at the High-Performance Centre at the University of Pretoria, the skills project is a partnership with the Premier League and the British Council. The league and the council use football as a tool to promote a brighter future for young people around the world.
The Premier Skills Phase Two course has already provided intensive training to 38 grassroots football coaches and 24 referees. The programme has already successfully nurtured three South African coach educators and would like to increase this number.
Local Premier Skills coach educator Nomonde Mashabane is an example of how successful the programme had been.
Nomonde, who completed the programme in 2015, now uses her skills to promote local women’s football. She also trains new coaches.
She said: “I love being part of this programme. I have a passion for women’s football. A programme such as this expands the game irrespective of gender, race or ability.”
The course was organised by the Premier League, the British Council and Safa (South African Football Association) and led by the Premier League coach educator Graham Robinson, supported by the UK club coaches, Jack Day of Stoke City FC and Richard Dexter of Hull City FC.
Premier League head of international relations Kate Hodgkinson said: “Premier Skills has already had a huge impact around the world, notably here in South Africa where we have been running the programme since 2013.” She said the programme teaches numeracy, literacy and nutrition to local coaches.
She said the programme helps to develop coaches and provide them with expertise in areas such as running youth tournaments and how to use football to reach out to young people.
“We have a strong team of Premier League Club coaches delivering the course, alongside our excellent South African coach educators. I am sure the programme will continue to have a positive impact on all who are taking part in it.”
