TCIFA- First Member Association of Concacaf to Host a Concacaf W C-License Coaching Course with Girls Festival
Building on the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association’s (TCIFA) long term commitment to advance the local coaching level as well as increase the number of female participants in football throughout the country, TCIFA hosted its first all-female licensing course through its partnership with Concacaf. Concacaf’s licensing program offers the region’s coaches and instructors access to the highest quality education programs, and it is through these initiatives that the Confederation plays a critical role in assisting its 41 Member Associations to reach their individual development objectives, while delivering a solid platform for growth.
The Concacaf Women’s C-License Coaching Course was held at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales on November 24-27, 2022, under the supervision of Concacaf Coach Educators, Andre Waugh and Lenny Lake. It saw an inspiring turnout of motivated women taking the next step to reinforce the vision of Concacaf and TCIFA to develop, strengthen and solidify the importance and progression of women’s football worldwide.
During the four-day span, the course covered modules ranging from creating a positive fun filled environment and long-term player development to health, care and welfare. Over the next few months, the participants will engage in one-on-one leadership mentoring, and will be given ongoing support from local coach educators- Dane Ritchie, and Damien Grant. Ultimately, these coaches will be assessed in the classroom and on the field to determine whether they are successful in the licensing procedures, and will be provided the opportunity to advance.
The internationally recognized Women’s C-License will help to bring the next generation of high-performance female coaches, giving each participant the skills and knowledge to design and deliver effective coaching. Aiming to spur this progress, the course culminated with an all-girls grassroots football festival, the first of its kind in conjunction with the Women’s C-License Coaching Course, for the region - a historic moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Over one hundred girls between the ages of 8-12 years old, most new to the sport, got in on the fun. Circuits of drills, including dribbling, passing and control, shooting, and other techniques of football were taught, ending with small sided games for reinforcement.
The Girls Football Festival saw the attendance of Concacaf Women’s Development Supervisor Alexa Vickroy, Concacaf Regional Director of Development Jason Roberts, TCIFA President Sonia Fulford, and TCIFA General Secretary Oliver Smith.
Roberts commented, “It is important for us to create safe spaces for women to allow them the opportunity to learn in an environment that is not intimidating to them, or leaves them feeling like they can’t give of their best.” He added, “We hope that over the next few months in several of our member associations over 300 women will have it this great opportunity.”
"Coaches are critical to the development of the players and the ultimate growth and development of football in the TCI. Even more significant is the need for female coaches as we seek to provide role models for our female players as well as to increase the pool of female coaches in the country. We would like to thank Concacaf for this fabulous initiative including the Giros Festival. It was wonderful to see so many young females participating and this bodes very well for women’s football in the country," expressed TCIFA President Sonia Fulford
Concacaf W C-License Coaching Course
