Manchester United top skills development coaches Eamon Mulvey and Kevin Ward, urged Trinidad and Tobago Primary School coaches to give their young players a chance to express themselves on the field.
Mulvey insisted that coaches who only focus on winning are not giving players a chance to enhance themselves mentally and personally toward the game.
“Coaching is not all about winning, it’s about developing the player to love the game and understand his/her strengths and weaknesses” Mulvey stated.
The Manchester United official told local coaches that great players are made when talent is recognised at a young age, and personal development and self confidence are instilled.
“The golden age of developing a good footballer is between six and twelve. At this age, coaches must train their player to have a positive mind-set and not be afraid of taking risks at times”, Mulvey noted.
He assured his audience that these are key criteria in effective coaching, and are strategies presently used at the Manchester United Academies for their young emerging players.
Ward and Mulvey especially made known to the local coaches that “Winning isn’t everything, but striving to win is.” Both agreed that effective coaching is a three stage process. The player’s interest must come first, coach support in second, and only then the third stage of success will be achieved.
Local coach Dion La Foucade, supported the initiative taken by the Manchester United duo to come here to share their knowledge on youth development.
He stated “The Government should see the great benefit that comes out of these seminars and probably spend a bit more on bringing international coaches to assist the locals with critical information and ideas on enhancing Trinidad’s coaching and young talent”. La Foucade also noted that the Manchester United coaches looked at coaching from a different angle, compared to what is taught locally.
“They have successfully shown us that coaching is not about physical training alone, but in fact is a scientific and mental approach that should be developed within the player at a young age.” he said.
Yesterday’s agenda saw the English coaches conduct life skills programmes, technique and skill sessions and coaching presentation.
The weekend camp ends today and is specifically designed for the local coaches to pick national boys and girls Under-14 and Under-16 teams in January 2011. The kids are being tutored by a variety of local coaches with great assistance from the Manchester United skills development officials.