JFF advanced coaching courses resume today

With clubs, schools and several other teams beginning preparation for the upcoming football season, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) will be staging four coaching courses under the ambit of the JMMB/JFF/UTech Coaching School.

The next Advanced Level I Course will begin today and run through to July 22 at Church Teachers' College, Manchester Road, Mandeville, and is being staged in association with the Manchester FA.

The final Advanced Level I Course for the year will be held at the University of Technology (UTech) from July 25-August 5.

Two Advanced Level II courses are scheduled for August 17-26 and August 23-September 1, respectively.

FIFA instructor, Rodrigo Kenton will be in charge of the technical module of the Advanced Level II course to be held at UTech and the other in association with the Clarendon FA.

Since the launch of the JMMB/JFF/UTech Coaching School in January 2009, close to 400 coaches and aspiring coaches have attended the courses at the two levels.

Drawing attention

As a result of the focus on this critical aspect of the development of the sport, there has been a greater attention to the discipline at all levels of the sport, and the JFF believes that over time this will impact positively on the game.

The JFF's focus has been strengthened as national coaches, some of whom are involved as instructors in the programme, have been exposed to the professional environment arising out of their partnership with different entities in Brazil including Traffic Football Academy.

Coaches Wendell Downswell and Omar Edwards, at the Under-17 level, have been involved in a six-week training camp in Brazil. Andrew Edwards, assistant national Under-20 coach, has also attended a three-week camp.

National senior team head coach, Theodore Whitmore, was exposed to the Brazilian professional environment over a three-week period in March, as well as the pre-Gold Cup training camp with goalkeeping coach Warren Barrett in May.

The JFF has mandated that coaches must have the respective qualification for coaching in the 2011-12 football season:

Advanced Level I (or its approved equivalent) - Manning and daCosta Cup, national Under-21 league, Sherwin Williams Womens League, Super League, Primary and Preparatory school competitions.

Advanced Level II (or its approved equivalent) - National Premier League.

In October, the JFF will review the programme with the aim of strengthening the effort. A calendar for 2012 will be issued at that time.