’D’ LICENSE TRAINING COURSE SUCCESS
Recent 'D' License Training Course
Partnership with VYSA, DC Stoddert, the State Department and the AED
By Len Oliver and Mary Lord
- April 30, 2007
Happily, thanks to State Department interpreters, language proved no barrier for seven Ethiopian soccer coaches who joined 23 others earning their USSF ’D’ License March 26th to March 30th at Jelleff Boys & Girls Club. "It’s amazing how much you can get done just with body language," says Travel Director Kate Samsot, who taught the demanding, 36-hour course with Director of Coaching, Len Oliver.
The international exchange was organized by Len’s nephew, Ian Oliver, who oversees the Academy for Educational Development’s "In-Step Program." DC Stoddert Soccer also partnered with VYSA and the U.S. Department of State to host its most recent ’D’ License coaching course, which normally takes place in August. A March session was scheduled for Ethiopian coaches interested in learning more about U.S. coaching methodology and practice.
The goal is to "train the trainers" so they can build stronger, more professional coaching education and youth soccer programs in Ethiopia, says Kate Samsot.
Different Strokes...
Stoddert Soccer’s instructors had to re-think the usual classroom-field course format and teaching methods to accommodate students who spoke little English and required an interpreter. They opted for field drills in the afternoons, followed by evening lectures. The first afternoon "proved memorable," reports Len Oliver. After welcoming the Ethiopian coaches in their native Amharic (“Welcome to America,” “My name is…,” “We love soccer!”), the City Collegiate Charter School sent out its entire class of 7th graders to welcome the Ethiopians—again in Amharic. After some hugs and tears, the course got underway.
Other memorable moments included discovering an Ethiopian women’s national team player working next door at Einstein’s Bagels. Then there was Tuesday’s lunch at Zed’s, an Ethipian restaurant in Georgetown, hosted by Ian Oliver, where the word "midfielder" was used to indicate big appetites. Guests included Amy Nakamoto of DC SCORES, Washington Freedom coach Jim Gabarra and officials from AED and the U.S. State Department.
Thanks to the professionalism and expertise of the State Department interpreters, Hailu Gtsadek and Fisher Edward,and the coaches’ accommodating spirit, language never proved a barrier. "Soccer, after all, has its own language," notes Len Oliver. The interpreters were on the field, ready to bridge the culture gap. They sat at the back of the room with the Ethiopian coaches, all wearing headphones for simultaneous interpretation translation.
The ‘D’ Course in Action
The ‘D’ Course offers 36 intense hours of instruction under the tutelage of USSF- ‘A’ Licensed instructors serving on the VYSA State Coaching Staff. The course results in candidates receiving either a “National D” or a “State D.” The Ethiopians, seasoned coaches all, had good skills, learned from years of street soccer and higher level play in their country, complemented by an exceptional group of American coaches—all of whom had played the game in youth, high school, collegiate, and even professional ranks.
One-third was foreign-born—welcome to the world of soccer!
We alternated instructors, joined Wednesday by Craig Jones, USSF ‘A’ Coach, DC Stoddert coach, and VYSA intern for the course. The Ethiopians engaged in the classroom lectures, demonstrations, and field work with good questions and observations along with exquisite soccer skills. The course was high level for most of them, although at least one had taken an advanced UEFA Coaching Course.
In preparing for the 20-minute Friday field evaluations, coaches were assigned to teams of two for practice coaching exercises during the week to teach the basic technical topics using our U.S. coaching methodology. For our Goalkeeping instruction, Len brought in a goalie from his U16 “Metros,” aided by Tesfaye, 69-year old Ethiopian coach who was formerly a goalie.
As the students prepared to choose up sides for the traditional “Coaches’ Game” on Thursday afternoon, it was obvious that the Ethiopians were eagerly anticipating playing “a real game” after all the field work, reports Len Oliver. Even Tesfaye, the former keeper, volunteered to play goalkeeper for his side, literally risking life and limb in making a diving save during the game. Exhausted, the coaches ended the formal course on a high note through the coaches’ game—what our sport is all about!
“Graduation Exercise” was special, with Len Oliver and Kate Samsot as Lead Instructors, accompanied by Craig Jones, VYSA intern, and Ian Oliver, AED, awarding the Ethiopians their official USSF ‘D’ Course License. Photos were taken with the young players, with the coaches individually, and with the full group of Ethiopian and American coaches. We celebrated the unusually mild and cooperative late March weather, the assistance offered by AED and the U.S. State Department, the VYSA course subsidization, and the full cooperation from DC Stoddert and the Jelleff Club.
Course Assessment
The Ethiopian coaches came away with a favorable view of the course and their accomplishments. They did express the wish that the U.S. side supply more equipment. DC Stoddert Soccer’s instructors also found much value in the course. "Our sport is international and affords direct exchange opportunities in coaches’ training, demonstrating that we have ideas to share with the rest of the world from our own soccer experience," notes Len Oliver, who recommends attempting additional exchanges--with more orientation before starting the field work, using video in instruction, and arranging for the foreign coaches to attend a DC United game.
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