Former Banyana captain trains school coaches in Parkmore
Gauteng schools can now boast that their soccer coaches are trained by a former Banyana Banyana captain.
Sandton school soccer coaches were hosted at Montrose Primary School on April 13 to receive training from former Banyana Banyana captain Simphiwe Dludlu.
Montrose Primary School’s sports coach Mokhosi Makara was among many coaches to benefit from the insights on coaching soccer from Dludlu.
“The course is designed to develop the skill sets and mindsets of teachers and coaches in schools across Gauteng,” Makara said.
Dludlu began coaching when she was 19 and took the coaches through drills that they could incorporate into their coaching at their respective schools.
“It’s important to remind the coaches and check if they’re still doing the correct things,” Dludlu said.
“Are they still passionate about this sport? Are we doing it the correct way? Do we notice mistakes players make, and how do we correct them? Are we evolving – realising that we are coaching millennials who speak and understand this sport?”
Dludlu focused a lot on the execution of technique, affording coaches with the skills to help them develop their players.
“It’s significant for coaches to understand that technique is everything; when you have technique, you have confidence. You can’t play football if you don’t know the basic technique of playing, and that is passing and receiving. When there is pressure, you rely on technique but if you lack technique, what will you rely on? You’ll make mistakes.”
Highveld Primary School’s soccer coach Wendy Scott, who trained as a ballerina, said, “This is my first year coaching soccer; I don’t even know which team to support, I’m trying to choose an international team, just to get into it,” Scott shared with a laugh.
“This is an incredibly crucial opportunity because when they talk about a volley, what is that? A header, I’ve seen it, but I’ve never done it. This training is crucial to gain skills to teach young people who know as much as I do.”
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