11th September marked more than the end of a workshop. It marked the beginning of a new opportunity to use sport as a tool for growth, leadership and community impact.
The young coaches received their entry-level coaching certificates at the conclusion of a series of coaching workshops delivered by Sport In Action alongside Volunteer Zambia students.
The training was designed to give the participants the basic coaching knowledge and practical skills needed to confidently deliver sporting sessions in Sport In Action Hub-sites and communities.
The certification was presented with the support of Zambia’s sports governing bodies. Netball Zambia was represented by Lydia Nanyangwe, Head of Sports Development, while the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) was represented by Chris Chibuye, Coach Education Officer, on behalf of Technical Director Sunday Kayuni.
For the young coaches, the certificates represent a pathway into further participation and responsibility within sport.
Stephen Stewart, Director of Sport at St Andrews University, who graced the certification, reflected on the wider impact of the programme and the contribution of the students supporting the workshops.
“Seeing the impact the students we send out helping with delivering workshops is incredible and gives us an opportunity to expand in the three core pillars of Sport In Action which are: Hub-sites, enterprise and Duke of Edinburgh Award. I am excited to come back next year and see the improvement in these young coaches awarded here today.”
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Chris Chibuye, FAZ Technical DirectorSunday Kayuni emphasised the importance of initiatives that provide opportunities for capacity building.
He noted that, regardless of how big or small an initiative may be, capacity building programmes provide important building blocks for stronger sports performance and delivery in the long run.
Lydia Nanyangwe, Head of Sports Development at Netball Zambia, also called on more organisations to emulate initiatives that create pathways for the younger generation to participate, develop and take up opportunities at every level of sport.
Through the coaching workshops, Sport In Action and its partners are creating practical pathways for young people to move from participation to leadership within sport.
