Local coaches get ‘D’ Licence

While all the attention has been on the Warriors race to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Federation Technical Director Lincoln Phillips and his staff have not turned away from the development exercises.

Among the coaches and players were the former top goalkeeper with 30 other coaches in the just concluded "D" Licence course.

Other similar courses have taken place which has resulted in 160 coaches graduating and now looking forward to the "C" Licence course which Phillips, a qualified FIFA instructor, says will come on stream later this year once approved by the TTFF.

"We intend to also have this ‘D’ Licence course in the eastern county region and other rural areas as well because while the big picture is obviously on the World Cup and what the national teams do, we also need to focus on development and it starts with the coaches," Phillips said yesterday. "The focus on the ‘D’ Level is mostly technical. Coaches are exposed to the modern methods of coaching and the technical aspect of the game as it’s related to the game itself," Phillips said.

"For example all passing exercises will have implications for the game....always dynamic. Static ! drills, long lines, long lectures are replaced with challenging and fun-filled game related exercises," he said.

The ‘D’ Licence is getting coaches to learn how to do the job with players between the ages of 10-13 and indirectly we are dealing with youth development as well," Phillips added.