Photo Credit: SIFF Media
The annual OFC Goalkeeping C-License course continues to grow in both numbers and strength as Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) strives to improve the quality and performances of its Member Associations (MAs) on the international stage.
The course brought together 17 participants from five OFC MAs – Solomon Islands, Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu. Many were current and former international goalkeepers and national goalkeeping coaches. Notably, almost a quarter of the coaches were female, all who made strong contributions in the classroom and on the field.
As part of an ongoing effort to be more accessible to MAs, OFC hosted the Goalkeeping C License in the Solomon Islands, which proved highly beneficial.
“Having goalkeeping as the first OFC event in Honiara is a privilege for us,” said OFC Goalkeeping Development officer James Bannatyne.
“Over the four days, the participants demonstrated their capability and commitment, and OFC looks forward to continuing to support them in achieving their C-License.”
The new facilities at the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) provided the perfect environment for the course, offering quality classroom space, on-field training and accommodation for coaches.
The course was facilitated by the experienced trio of Bannatyne, OFC Coach Educator Chris Marsh and Solomon Islands Goalkeeping Development Officer Phillip Mango.
“It was a real privilege for me to lead such a strong team of coach educators. James is evergreen in the GK coach education space, he is a quality and experienced coach educator,” said Marsh.
“Phillip is a local legend still playing in goal for the national team. This was his first time delivering on an advanced coaching license as a coach educator. He was exceptional in the classroom, on the grass and with the coaches.”
For Mango, the experienced was invaluable.
“At first I was a bit nervous. Then as I started to introduce the module and asked some questions and got feedback from them it made me excited and happy to continue teaching them,” said the Solomon Islands goalkeeper.
Over the four days, the candidates grew into the course, with a few being identified as potential coach developers in the future, highlighting OFC’s push to strengthen coaching in the Pacific.
“This was a strong cohort of coaches. There was already plenty of coaching knowledge in the group. On day one, we asked the coaches to plan and deliver a training session on the grass. The quality in the group was evident from the beginning,” explained Marsh.
“Owain Prosser’s support as Head of Education and High Performance is really bringing these courses to life. With the attendance of several great candidates from a range of our Member Associations, we continue to make positive strides in goalkeeping,” Bannatyne added.
Nine participants were from the Solomon Islands, paving the way for development in the region and demonstrating OFC’s commitment to ensuring more Member Associations have quality coaches to nurture young talent.
“It was special for Solomon Island Football Federation (SIFF) to host this OFC Goalkeeping C license course in Honiara. It was not only the first ever goalkeeping C-License course held in Solomon Islands, but also for my goalkeeping department,” said Mango.
“I know every participant that attended the course learned new information about goalkeeping that will help develop goalkeeping programmes in their respective MAs.”