Soccer coach determined to see players through to success
The coach’s passion for the game speaks for itself and is infectious to all players he takes under his wing.
KNOWN for his vast knowledge of soccer both on and off the field, Craig Inggs has become synonymous with Yellowwood Park Football Club. The coach’s passion for the game speaks for itself and is infectious to all players he takes under his wing.
He joined Yellowwood Park FC at the age of 40 as a player after the club was resurrected in 2008 by Willie Whatley, Greg Ferns and John Hardouin. “I was the oldest player in the team and the average age of the players was 21 at the time. The following year I became the coach. For the next three years we won fourth, third and second division in the Durban Sunday League. We came second in the first division and in 2012 the team took the decision to play in the Pinetown Football Association (PFA),” he shared.
The club has since played against several teams such as Ashley FC, Fynnland FC, Brettonwood Old Boys FC, Durban City FC, Highway United FC, Forest Hills FC, Twini Park FC, New Germany FC and Blues FC from Pietermaritzburg, to name a few. The club has grown from one to seven teams since its resurrection.
Craig is always looking to hone his coaching skills to keep up with the dynamic sport. In 2016, he did the South African Football Association (SAFA) D Licence Coaching Course and in 2017, he was selected to coach the PFA U19 team that beat Eastern Gauteng U19 team, 3 – 2 on the final day of the PFA Tournament for the first time in the history of the tournament. In 2018 he did the SAFA C Licence Coaching Course and in the same year voted in as the vice president of the PFA as well as assisted in the running of the association while still coaching at Yellowwood Park FC.
He was first introduced to the sport at the age of five years by two of his neighbourhood friends. It was then where he learnt the game and the love affair began. “My love for the sport has grown over the years. Off season, I feel like I am missing something and I cannot wait for pre-season to start again,” said the Lionel Messi fan.
He has played for Hillary FC for seven years, Chiltern Park FC for 4 years, Wanderers FC for 1 year, Yellowwood Park FC for 3 years and Fynnland FC for 4 years. He hung up his boots at the age of 48 years.
When he isn’t blowing his whistle, he is out on the streets fighting crime as a warrant officer at Montclair SAPS where he has been stationed for 30 years and has served at SAPS for 33 years.
Asked whether he prefers playing on the field or coaching from the sidelines, he said he would have to pick coaching. “I enjoy developing young players and watching them grow into adults. Football is not only a game but it teaches young people life skills such as time management, to be respectful of others, to work together as a team, how to deal with the highs and lows of life, to stay away from drugs and crime, to socialize in groups and to be humble,” said Craig who still looks forward to seeing the club compete in the SAFA PFA League.
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