The participants that completed the CONCACAF 'D' License Coaching Course on Sunday September 20, 2015. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

CONCACAF coach Mr Vin Blaine does a quick fun drill with some children at the Capoons Bay play-field. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

BVIFA President Andy Bickerton greets Johnathon Martinez of CONCACAF. From left: Alfred Reid, Avanel Morton, Jonathon Martinez, Andy Bickerton, Marco Santillan and Vin Bliane. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Mr Marco Santillan delivered some of the theory sessions as well as practical during the coaching course. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The first day, Thursday September 17, 2015 saw BVIFA President Mr Andy Bickerton welcoming the coaches as well as Jonathon Martinez of CONCACAF to the BVIFA office in Road Town where the theory sessions would take place each day, before the group headed down to Capoons Bay for the practical sessions.

“As coaches, we want you to ensure the kids have fun whilst learning the game, but of course the FA wants to ensure you know what you are doing as well,” commented Bickerton. “Make sure you participate fully in the course, get the most out of it as you can and the FA will ensure we keeping putting on more courses to continue your education.”

Martinez then thanked the BVIFA for hosting the course and introduced Vin Blaine and Marco Santillan, who have both learnt their trade around the world before coming back to CONCACAF to pass on their knowledge. “This is not an opportunity everyone gets and at CONCACAF we feel there is no bigger course than the “D” License course, this is the foundation for the future and if we start giving quality coaching at the grassroots level that’s where it starts and that’s where the future begins,” Mr Martinez said.

Course topics

The course itself covered a vast array of topics including the role of coach/educators, the principles of coaching, health and safety, practical sessions, small sided games, technical/tactical training and of course various tests and exams on all that had been covered.

At the conclusion, Santillan gave some closing remarks including letting the participants know that to implement change they had to first improve. “To make things better you all need to know how to use your knowledge for change, make sure you are the first one at practice, set up and ready to go. It’s the little details that will make the difference, attitude, hard work and remember it’s not what myself and coach Blaine wants, it’s what the game demands.”

BVIFA Technical Director, Katie Rowson also thanked the attendees for their hard work and efforts over the last four days and went on to to reiterate the comments from Santillan. “That is now all about change and ensuring our kids are developing to their best and we can only do that when we have the best coaches. For most of you this is the official start to your coaching journey and long may it continue.”

The next stage is for Rowson to work with the coaches and ensuring they get continuing support and of course opportunity to work in the FA structure as coaches.

Course participants

Richie Morton, Jeffrey Demming, Jevon Carty, Charlie E. Jackson, Gavin J. Foster, Rohan Lennon, Lenroy Henry, Thomas Albert, Brendan Boult, Anreco Ramsay, Vivian Roach, Kevin Fisher, Wendoll Nichols, Timon Robinson, Gregory James and Glen Bascombe were the local coaches engaged in the course.

The BVIFA is also committed to holding another “D” License course early in 2016.