Successful youth coaching course pleases participants

Participants at the just concluded youth coaching course jointly convened by Gambia Rush Soccer Club and its U.S. Rush partners have expressed satisfaction for what they referred to as a successful youth course.

A good number of the country’s aspiring youth coaches on Sunday wrapped up a vigorous 4-day basic coaching course under the instruction of Erik Bushey.

Erik, a highly experienced youth coach from Colorado Rush Soccer Club of the U.S., led the team of youth coaches to what is believed to be a successful session which dealt on various topics of modern coaching, notably on the basic techniques of youth coaching, at the Serekunda East Mini-stadium

In an interview with this reporter shortly after the completion of the course, Erik, who spent 10 years with Colorado, lashed praises on the participants for what he called a brilliant job done.

He was absolutely delighted and impressed with what he saw during the 4-day period and believes the future of the country’s youth coaches is bright.

Erik was joined by fellow coaches in the names of Lamin Sarr and Abdoulie Bojang, Gambia’s national team coaches, who took part in the sessions.

Abdoulie Bojang, technical director of Gambia Rush Soccer Club and one of the assistant coaches attached to the Gambia national U-20 team, said he found the course very much interesting and had since learned a lot, especially in tactical approach towards the game.

He also expressed with delight the fantastic instruction manual given to them, saying the manual the participants received from Erik was the best he had ever come across since taking part in a series of coaching course.

Bojang, who has served in his capacity as the head coach of the GFA top flight side Steve Biko from Bakau, is of the view that the manual would go a long way in helping him and his colleagues to perform their role as youth coaches with all seriousness but only if they put it into good use.

“Despite a very short period of time, the course has helped us a lot and we hope to make the best use of the knowledge gained from it, particularly from the extraordinary manual given to us,” Abdoulie Bojang, also known as Lie, told this reporter.

“I am also of the belief that the combination of Erik’s knowledge and ours would serve as a source of encouragement and motivation for us as youth coaches.”

His assistant at the Gambia U-20 national team, Lamin Sarr, also added his voice to the interview, saying: “It is so much important to take part in such a good course.”

Sarr, who led The Gambia’s U-20 team to the Caf African Youth championship that took place in the South African city of Johannesburg last May, said: “I was invited to take part in the course as one of The Gambia’s Caf instructors and I am extremely delighted to be associated with this capacity building coaching course for youth coaches.”

Two other participants, namely Sainey Jarju and Abdoulie Njie, a one-time Gambia national U-17 and Africell Saint Matty inspirational gloves man, both described the course a complete success.

They used the platform to extend thanks and appreciation to the organisers of the course for training them in their bid to transform themselves into becoming big time coaches someday.