VEREENIGING.- Amidst COVID-19 and the suspension of contact sports in the amateur ranks, great news came when local coaches were provided with a free coaching lesson during a workshop conducted by coaches from Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club at the President Park Stadium in Vereeniging recently.

This coaching workshop was organized by North West University (Vaal) and conducted by Sundowns Head Coach for U/13, Lunga Nobela and Gontse Mokoena, who is parents-coordinator and team manager for the u/13 and u/15 teams. SAFA Sedibeng Technical Regional Officer, Thulani Mthimkulu was also invited to share his knowledge with the coaches.
The workshop was attended by development coaches, Super League, SAB League and ABC Motsepe League coaches.
Some of the topics that were discussed included the development of a player on and off the field, and the basic training of an athlete to reach his or her full potential.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Mthimkulu said there is a need for such programmes to improve the standard of coaching in this region. He was also full of compliments to NWU Vaal for this initiative.
“I want to thank NWU Vaal for inviting us to share our knowledge with other coaches.
“I was overwhelmed by their knowledge and with programmes like this I have no doubt that football will improve in this region,” he said. His sentiments were echoed by Nobela who also acknowledged NWU Vaal for the role the institution plays in the development of football in Vaal.
NWU Vaal Football Manager, Thomas Thema said the workshop was a great success and thanked the coaches who honoured the invitation. Thema announced that there will be a follow-up workshop sometime in March this year.