Thirty coaches from around the Eastern Cape successfully completed a Safa D-level licence course in Gqeberha recently.
The programme, which was a collaboration between Madibaz Football Club and local professional outfit Highbury, took place over weekends throughout September.
According to Madibaz Sport football manager Mark Tommy the club had conceptualised and initiated its Technical Lab to focus on the sport’s ecosystem “beyond the player on the field”.
The intention was to provide greater opportunities for aspiring coaches in the region to become licensed officials, he explained.
A general shortage of courses in the city and the wider Eastern Cape, plus the need to create opportunities for Madibaz’s coaching personnel, were the main reasons behind an application to the governing body to present this one.
While many youngsters aspire to achieve on the field, not many focus on becoming technical officials such as referees, coaches, performance analysts and team managers.
The clinic, which took place under the guidance of Safa instructors Desmond Lewis and Boebie Williams, was aimed at changing this mind-set.
Engaging with different communities and the football fraternity at large would not have been possible without help, Tommy said.

A total of 30 coaches graduated from the Safa D licence coaching programme hosted by the Madibaz Football Club in conjunction with professional team Highbury at Nelson Mandela University during September. Photo: Madibaz Football Club.
The partnership with Highbury, who had recently won promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, guaranteed that a coach from each of the 12 local associations could attend.
“We are delighted that, together, we can grow the relationship and help build the Safa-Nelson Mandela Bay development footprint,” the long-time Madibaz manager said.
The importance of presenting these courses was reflected in the fact that it filled up within 10 days of being announced. Two women and three Mandela University students were among the attendees.
“It is an indication of the need for accredited coaching courses,” Tommy said.
“It is our belief that we need to invest in the grassroots coaches to ensure that the youth teams are coached to age-appropriate standards to ultimately improve the quality of players being developed in South Africa.”
Madibaz Sport director Vuyo Bongela backed the club’s aims, saying it had spotted a gap in the market.
It realised, she explained, that not everyone could afford to travel and stay beyond the borders of the province and to build capacity at home instead.
Bongela also acknowledged the input of its partners.
“As Mandela University, we have an intention of changing the world through serving society.”
It was impossible to do it alone and she thanked Highbury chairman Cameron Klopper for partnering with Madibaz Football “for this course and future endeavours”.