Local coaches on Nevis, were part of a historic CONCACAF E-license course which took place over the weekend.
The opening ceremony took place on the afternoon of Thursday 8th September at the Red Cross Headquarters, situated at Chapel Street in Charlestown.
The ceremony was chaired by Director of Sports, Jamir Claxton, who warmly welcomed the participants; the persons at the head table, including the main facilitator of the course and delivered brief opening remarks.
In his remarks, Claxton pointed out that the course was arranged in order to ensure that coaches on the island are equipped to deliver and coach the game of Football. He noted that it is a process which is coordinated with the direct assistance of the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association.
Mr. Raymond Smith then gave remarks on behalf of the SKNFA. He noted that the coaches on Nevis are aware of what is required to go further afield. He stated that St. Kitts-Nevis can now boast of a FIFA ranking of 81, which speaks volumes for a small island federation. He thanked CONCACAF for the opportunity to continue to develop the game on the island of Nevis.
Miss Verna Grant, General Secretary of the Nevis Football Association, thanked CONCAF and the SKNFA for allowing such an opportunity and noted that her President Rohan Isles wished all of the participants every success.
Mr. Lenny Lake, the Technical Director for St. Kitts-Nevis who was instrumental in bringing the course to Nevis, in his brief remarks, told the coaches that they were creating history as it is the first regional course of this nature to be held on the island.
He stated that getting a license is different from a participation course, as the e-license course will take the coaches from a participation certificate to an actual license which will qualify them to coach in any country under the auspices of CONCACAF, which involves some 41 countries, including Mexico and the USA.
He indicated that he wants Nevis to reach the point where the coaches can develop their own players and not for them to be sent to St. Kitts for them to be coached there.
“It’s time that you become responsible for your own development,’ he said.
He asked them to pay keen attention to what the instructor has to say so that they can be on top of the game when the assessments are done.
Main facilitator and Instructor, Mr. VIN Blain, CONCACAF Instructor, was quick to point out that it was not his first visit to Nevis, as he has done courses on the island previously.
He stated that this particular course, even though filled with information, would be FUN. He told the participants that they would have to INVEST in the program and show a high level of enthusiasm.
He stated that the course will involve both theoretical and practical sessions.
Mr. Jamir Claxton then officially declared the course open and the class sessions commenced immediately.