To upgrade the role of match officials on island, the St Lucia Football Association [SLFA] Inc. hosted a CONCACAF Beginners Referees Instructors Course –at its base, from December 8 to 11.
The course facilitators included CONCACAF personnel, namely Dave Miekle CONCACAF Referee Manager, Victor Stewart Technical Instructor from Jamaica and Fitness Instructor Kelesha Antoine of Antigua.
Nine Saint Lucians participated in the course, namely; Andrew Phillip, Julius Casimir, Steven Edward, Ashley Duncan, Chantel John in the Technical area; Marlon Alcee, Marius James, Leanna Wallace and Christopher Duncan – Fitness area.
There were five overseas participants, including Johan Lineral Martinique, Ernest Richardson and George Phillip – Grenada, Christina Sobers – Dominica, Kayona Horne – St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Desiree Christianns – Aruba.
The course, which consisted of both theoretical and practical sessions covered a wide range of topics, including; Methodology of Teaching – Stewart and Kevin Antoine, Handball / Tactical Fouls, and Offside / Game Management.
At the opening session, SLFA President Lyndon Cooper said the exercise was part of a regional undertaking aimed at the development of match officials over the next 3 to 4 years.
He said the SLFA found it fitting and important to host this exercise, and “at least an instructors course for new participants …since Saint Lucia is now at a juncture, where we are increasing the number of match officials” at a ‘rapid rate’.
The SLFA president explained that the SLFA intends to move towards the qualification phase in order to upgrade the status of these prospective referees as the more senior officials relent from the officiating role.
“We feel it is important for us to develop a cadre of match officials, where we can begin to change the landscape of officiating in Saint Lucia,” declared Cooper.
The SLFA president acknowledged the input of CONCACAF in facilitating this exercise, and implored the participants to pay attention to the opportunity that this exercise presents and to grasp the updated methods and trends of officiating in the region.
Added Cooper: “This is an ideal opportunity to understand the application and teaching methods of officiating in the region …and to understand the importance of what it is to protect the integrity of the game and to enhance the overall image.”
Miekle said the course provides support to the affiliate associations in helping to improve the proficiencies of the participants.
He added, the intention is “to strengthen all the links in the chain to make it stronger.”
Meanwhile, last week the SLFA commenced its CONCACAF Women’s C License Football Coaching Course at its Headquarters in La Clery. The five-day course, which consisted of both theoretical and practical sessions culminated on Saturday (December, 17).
This Course is specifically designed to help develop women coaches and persons involved in coaching Women’s Football, island wide. Participants were drawn from the SLFA’s affiliate leagues.
An SLFA spokesperson said, “It was heartwarming to see so many representatives in attendance …as St. Lucia observed National Day”.
SLFA communications officer Michael Pierre stated that, “This attendance bears testimony to the seriousness being placed into the development of the sport and the commitment by coaches in driving more specifically women football forward, and by extension making it the number one sport accessible to all and sundry.”
It will also be centered around numerous video analysis with participants working in groups to present on them.
The course was conducted by local Coaching Educators and Training Facilitators, Cyril Cess Podd, Emmanuel Bellas and Solomon Alexander. CONCACAF Coaching Instructor / Trainer Lenny Blake was the chief facilitator at the course.
Some of the topics covered, included;
Leading yourself – leading the player and teams, Developing a Personal Development Philosophy, Principles of Play – Game Analysis, Development of a Periodization Plan, and Football Environment Case Study.