Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) held a three-day Senior Coaching Certificate course for the western division coaches at Fiji FA Academy in Ba last week.
Technical director Ravinesh Kumar, who conducted the course, said the decision to hold the course took into consideration the OFC Coaching Pathway.
“The new OFC convention says that all coaches who want to start senior coaching can only do so after completing this course, and then they can progress to the OFC C Licence,” Kumar said.
“This was an opportunity for all the district coaches to take this first step which is why we invited any district coaches who do not currently have B or A Licences, to enhance their knowledge and come into the coaching system.
“I really thank the district associations who had sent their coaches especially Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Nadroga, Tavua and Rakiraki who sent one coach. However it was disappointing that there were other coaches who were supposed to come but did not turn up, as it was very important for them to get this certificate.”
Kumar said Fiji FA will soon enforce the regulation that all coaches must have certificates and licences to be eligible to be in the technical area during the games.
“Coaches who do not attend these courses may not be able to coach a team or stand for a team in the technical area during a match,” Kumar explained.
“Very soon the technical department will give names to the CEO to send a list to all the districts to show which coaches are eligible to be present to coach their teams.
“You must have seen coaches who are progressing in their coach education like Lautoka’s Kamal Swamy and former Rewa coach Marika Rodu, these coaches have enhanced their coach education levels and their teams are also performing.
“It is not only about the players, it’s about the education level of the coaches as well which is very important.”