SHARPEVILLE.- A basic coaching course held at Tsoaranang Primary School in Sharpeville on Saturday was attended by 50 grassroots coaches from the Vaal.

This workshop was organised by FAR Post Media in conjunction with Lucky Star Pilchards. Relebohile Mofokeng Foundation, which was officially launched on the same day, was part of this special affair.

This workshop was attended by coaches from Emfuleni Local Football Associations and Orange Farm Local Football Association. The programme started on Friday with the soccer legends visiting various Sharpeville schools. The programme concluded with coaching clinics where local youngsters were given free lessons from the participating coaches.

This was part of the training material.

Former SAFA Technical Director Walter Steenbok was among the highly qualified people who shared their coaching knowledge with these upcoming coaches. Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana defender Edward Motale also shared his expertise with the youngsters. Former PSL Referee Victor Hlungwane was also part of the programme educating coaches about the rules of the game. Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Mokete Tsotetsi was also part of the coaches who were sitting in the classroom.

He gave the youngsters a motivational speech at the end of the programme. This initiative was part of FAR Post Media ploughing back into the community. Steenbok hailed this initiative as important, especially to grassroots coaches. He said there is still a lot that needs to be done at grassroots level.

“It is very important for experienced coaches to work at this level for the sake of development for both coaches and young players. I encourage you as grassroots coaches not to discard grassroots football for greener pastures, because we need your experience at this level too,” he said.

Coaches were presented with coaching certificates at the end of the programme.