Provincial B-Licence Course participants
Provincial Instructors Jim Dickson, Martin Harvey and Carl Horton together with the OSA’s Director Technical Jim Cannovan, Technical Assistant Ian Skitch, Director of Player Development Bryan Rosenfeld and Regional Coach Joey Lombardi put the candidates through their paces.
Candidates executing offensive drills
“I think the whole B-Licence experience was first class,” said Belleville coach Rob Terry. “The facilities were great, really great. Comfortable accommodations and great food. The pitches were great, all the equipment we needed was there and I was amazed at how many players were brought in for the final weekend for assessments. So on that front, well done all around.
Ian Skitch, OSA Technical Assistant
“On the delivery of the OSA course — and I’ve been to a lot of soccer courses now — I thought it was the best I’ve been to yet. That’s probably because this is, after all, a B-Licence course and everyone participating is serious and at a certain level of accomplishment, but it seemed to me that the instructors were really on too, and the knowledge transfer was good.
Jim Cannovan, OSA Director Technical
“I had never been exposed to so many different assessors and coaches before, each of whom brought something to the table which made for good learning opportunities. Sometimes a variety of different voices and styles works well and I never found the presentations repetitive or boring. It was a long 5-day course and it was demanding at times, but it really flew by and that’s a good indication that it was engaging.
Youth volunteers were on hand for the assessments (Zarko Mijic Photo)
“Finally, I just want to comment on the instructors and the course delivery. Everyone has their style and methods, but in the end everyone wants the same thing, which is for the coaches to improve and learn. I know the OSA has taken it’s lumps from critics of the course delivery in the past. I don’t know if it’s because I’m more familiar with the material and the instructors and more confident in myself or what, but I asked a lot of questions of a lot of people over the 5 days and all I got was a lot of help and a lot of answers. In fact, instructors repeatedly made a point of ensuring we asked questions and that we got the information we wanted.”
Youth volunteers were on hand for the assessments (Zarko Mijic Photo)
“I want to to thank the OSA for keeping everything organized and easy to follow,” said Brampton coach Tony Di Caro.
“There was a lot of great information and I enjoyed the opportunity to compare notes and points of view with other coaches.
“The two week-end course is a great learning experience for any coach and definitely worth the time and money — pass or not.”
The “B” License Course forms part of The OSA’s on-going Coaching Development Program and the “B” Licence Part I course offered by The Ontario Soccer Association is recognized by the National Certification Program and is the first step towards attaining higher certification at the National “A” Licence level.
The Provincial “B” Licence coaching course is the most popular of all the Coaching education courses held by The Ontario Soccer Association.
The popularity of this course reflects the growing importance of coaching education in the Province and when Ontario’s top clinicians are running the courses in a first-rate facility, success is guaranteed.
For more information
Visit The OSA Coaching pages
or contact
Estelle Nicholls, Technical Coordinator (Coaching Development)
905-264-9390 x234
enicholls@soccer.on.ca
Report & Photos by Wolf Ruck / OSA