Photo Credit: OFC Media
New Zealand’s AUT Millennium Institute played host to the fourth and final module of the OFC Pro Licence course this week, which focused on the ‘Business of Football.’
It’s the first time a course of its kind has been held in the region, with the licence representing the pinnacle of the coaching pathway.
Subjects covered included Media, Technology, Skill Learning, and Ethics and Professional Behaviour and featured a number of guest speakers, including Paul Barber, CEO of English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Pro Licence consisted of four modules, the first three held in 2023 covered Leading Self, Leading Others and Leading Culture.
Participants included New Zealand Head Coach Darren Bazeley, his assistant Martin Bullock, Wellington Phoenix A-League Women’s Head Coach Paul Temple, Fiji Football Association Technical Director Tim Jankowski, and Fédération de Tahitienne Football Technical Director Patrice Flaccadori.
OFC Coach Educator Sean Douglas facilitated the sessions and was keen to stress the importance of elements that weren’t focused on football.
“I think a lot of the topics are outside of football. So we’re looking at particularly their leadership skills and personal development leadership skills.
“Many of the coaches probably haven’t experienced something in this area before, so it’s been really eye opening.”
Fiji FA Technical Director Tim Jankowski was excited to take the learnings from the course and work on implementing them at a local level.
“100% yeah and it was also like super nice to connect with all the coaches from from New Zealand because they are leading the region.
“Now to really see what the best practice is in our region…and how we can adapt it to our environment back in Fiji.”