Four Netherlands football experts are in the country to train Ugandan youth football coaches, courtesy of Rays of Grace academy. The experts that have spent a week at the Rays of Grace academy in Kirugu-Njeru, Buikwe district include two coaches attached to Feyenoord football club, a coach attached to Sparta Rotterdam and a coach instructor attached to the Royal Dutch football association.
According to Roberts Kiwanuka, the Rays of Grace academy director and also the Uganda youth football association chairman, the programme aims to elevate both coaching standards and player development.
“We want to create a players and Coaches pathway so that our coaches can get to know how to nurture players that can compete in the European market. We do not want to do exactly how it is done in the Netherlands, but use the available resources and environment to develop a proper structure,” noted Kiwanuka.
The practical coaching clinics, which began last week in Njeru, are expected to run until December.
The trainers have visited and held sessions with the academy players at St Julian High school and St Mary’s SS, Kitende.
“We used our academy as a study module and brought in experts from the Netherlands to help build the technical and tactical abilities of our coaches,” added Kiwanuka, who believes that the knowledge acquired can be applied in the next six months.
Kiwanuka wants players who are prepared for the professional level, especially in Europe as he tries to transform the academy into a structured, elite football business with a clear player development pathway.
Kevin Kanu, a coach and academy developer attached to Sparta Rotterdam, praised the academy’s potential before urging coaches to let players think for themselves.
“We need to let players think for themselves and make their own decisions during training at that early age. They need to be encouraged to take responsibilities on the pitch,” he noted.
Jorge Ferreira, a Dutch football instructor and scout, highlighted the hands-on approach they have taken since arriving to help coaches implement modern methods.
“We observed the academy’s training sessions and how coaches review their work. From there, we conducted workshops and practical sessions to help them structure their knowledge better and apply it effectively on the pitch,” he said.
Leon Kampman and Louter Antonnie attached to Feyenoord FC are the coaches that spearheaded practical sessions.
“Depending on the age category, you do not need to train long hours when dealing with kids. You just need little time with intensity, allowing the little ones to feel more of the ball to master,” Antonnie advised. He will stay behind till December to assist in the implementation of the training module.
“My experience so far has been great. We found an academy full of players and trainers who are eager to learn. They’ve been very easy to work with, and I’m looking forward to the months ahead,” said Leon Kampman.
Rays of Grace academy is one of Uganda’s modern football academies that develops players both academically at the Rays of Grace primary school while developing their football talent through the Rays of Grace academy.
