JFF aims to stage A Licence coaching courses at home

Head of coaching education at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Andrew Peart, is aiming to advance local coaching to the stage that Jamaica can host A Licence courses in the future.

Peart outlined the objective after six Jamaican coaches recently participated in a CONCACAF A Licence course that was put on by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).

Peart, who was part of the delegation, praised the TTFA for the initiative, noting that regional coaches usually have to travel outside the territory to acquire that coaching certification level.

The twin-island republic is looking to host another two courses in the next two years and Peart is hoping that more Jamaican coaches get the opportunity to uplift the standard in the country to the highest level.

"There were six Jamaicans and people from Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis right throughout the Caribbean. So it's really a course for Caribbean coaches to become world-class," Peart said.

"It's expensive to travel for this course, so for the TTFA to put this on inside the Caribbean is tremendous. The TTFA's plan is to have three (courses) in three years. So there will be chances for other coaches to get the upgrade.

"Hopefully, one day Jamaica can reach the level where we can host our own or in association with CONCACAF or any other federations, so the local coaches can have better access to these A Licence courses," he told THE STAR.

He revealed that the 220-hour course was thought-provoking and eye-opening. That was, however, the first phase, as the cohort will continue their education online until they have satisfied the requirements.

"The face-to-face component is just one part of it. The course will continue until January, February. We will have online webinars and we will have individual coursework that we must finish.

"So there is not really an end date. It's about satisfying the criteria for certification. We could all finish January, February but some could go longer," he pointed.

He added that this initial batch of Jamaican coaches will lead the way in helping to upgrade coaching across the local landscape.

The coaches were Peart, Wendell Downswell (director of football), Merron Gordon (national men's assistant coach), Rudolph Speid (technical and development committee chairman), Marcel Gayle (national Under-20 coach) and Vassell Reynolds (coach educator).

"We had some coaches who had B Licence, so this is a step up and the response from our coaches was good. They are glad to have had the opportunity," Peart said.