The impact of the huge strides made in New Zealand Football’s coach development programme is likely to become clear over the coming weeks as the winter season kicks off all over the country.

In recent months, thousands of coaches have taken the chance to upskill in New Zealand Football’s wide range of courses and are now putting their new-found knowledge to good use.

“New Zealand Football and our seven federations have been very active in delivery already this year as we try to help prepare coaches for the long winter season ahead,” Coach Development Manager Steven Dillon says.

“We have tried to use the winter football season as our reference for when we run courses, which enables coaches to spend time being active with their players and teams throughout the year. It also ensures adherence to the regulatory coaching measures now in place across a number of competitions.”

Nationwide competitions such as the ISPS Handa Premiership and Women’s National League already have standards in place for each head coach to possess a minimum OFC/NZF B-Licence (or international equivalent) qualification while appropriate requirements will be introduced in the premier regional leagues from next year as New Zealand Football’s Club Licensing Regulations continue to be rolled out.

The New Zealand Football Coach Education Pathway is closely aligned to these standards with courses now offered for all levels of the game.

“We are continually aiming to offer high quality coach development experiences which we hope in turn will have a positive and beneficial effect on the experience that each player has under their care,” Dillon says.

“Through our bespoke coach education offerings, we have been able to assist coaches who work across the five pillars – junior, youth, senior, goalkeeping and futsal – and have seen an increase in the number of active coaches in all regions across the country.”

Among those looking to upskill is Glenfield Rovers coach Andy Clay, who led his club to a third Kate Sheppard Cup triumph in four years last season and is among the candidates on the current OFC/NZF A-Licence.

The experienced Clay has coached in New Zealand for a number of years and is hugely impressed with the progress that has been made in the country’s coach development programme in recent times.

“There’s been a real turnaround from many years ago – the level of content and the detail is higher than it used to be, which is great,” he says.

“There was a time a few years back when there was very little on the horizon in terms of coaching courses and progressing yourself but now New Zealand Football has got this part of the set up humming. I’m a better coach from doing the B-Licence and I’ve already got some amazing ideas from being on the A-Licence.”

Coaches progressing through the system also have a stronger level of support than ever before with Coach Developers being educated all over the nation to help guide them.

“Through our ever-flourishing federation and club-based Coach Developer network, we now have the ability to increase the frequency and accessibility of courses while our skilled Federation Development Officer network is also working alongside coaches to help mentor them through their qualifications and beyond,” Dillon says.

New Zealand Football is continuing to foster its relationships with the Oceania Football Confederation, Sport New Zealand and a number of Regional Sports Trusts, adding to the diversity of football coach development opportunities now available to both community and advanced coaches.

To learn more about these opportunities please visit www.nzfootball.co.nz/GET-INVOLVED/Coaches or email steven.dillon@nzfootball.co.nz

Photo: Glenfield Rovers women's coach Andy Clay is one of the candidates on the current OFC/NZF A-Licence (Photosport)