The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) has signed a 3-year partnership with the International Soccer Science & Performance Federation (ISSPF) to boost football-related industry knowledge across all levels in the region with a COSAFA Diploma in Soccer Science.
The agreement is a huge step forward in the development of the game in Southern Africa and will open many avenues to a global career for those in the industry by providing quality coaching education across crucial spheres.
Coaches and medical staff, from grassroots to the elite level, will have access to first-class online training courses delivered by some of the leading sport science and football coaching practitioners in the world, who have experience of having worked at clubs such as Manchester United, Boca Juniors, Chelsea, Benfica, and FC Porto, as well as top federations.
Four individual courses from the ISSPF’s selection of soccer science educational content have been hand-picked by COSAFA for the diploma. They are Strength and Conditioning, Soccer Nutrition, Physical Training and Soccer Methodology and Soccer Psychology, and will provide the perfect framework to drive forward holistic coach education and football development within the region.
“We are delighted to align our organisation with the high-level coaching, sport and football science development available within ISSPF,” says COSAFA Executive Director Sue Destombes.
“In addition, the development of the COSAFA Diploma in Football Science & Coaching, combined with the offering of the full range of ISSPF content and courses to our coaches across our 14 member associations, fits with our philosophy of providing elite education content to our national and regional coaches.
“This relationship furthers our drive for football coaching educational opportunities to provide a community of coaches’ best practices and knowledge from experts around the world.
“Being able to provide COSAFA-based coaches with elite football education is a fantastic initiative, and I am excited that we can contribute to the applied football education and development here in Southern Africa.”
ISSPF courses are designed online to provide first-class performance insights, continued professional development, extended learning, and additional qualifications for those with an eagerness to grow their industry knowledge.
“Everyone within ISSPF is absolutely delighted to partner with COSAFA. As an organisation, COSAFA are fully committed towards developing member association coaches, and we are extremely excited to play a fundamental part,” says Adam Owen, Head of Content & Academic Partnerships at ISSPF.
“The opportunity to play a key role in the coaching development across the whole of the Southern African region fits with our values of player and coach development, whilst providing courses aimed at improving the level of coaches, practitioners, students, and learners with the African football family is something ISSPF are delighted with and motivated to play a key role within.
“We are proud to work together for the progression of all individuals interested in enhancing their applied coaching and performance science, or football coaching knowledge, and assisting their career prospects through ISSPF.”
To learn more about the ISSPF courses you can visit www.isspf.com, or find them on Twitter (@isspfed) and Facebook (ISSPF).
FULL SUITE OF ISSPF COURSES
- Nutrition
- Psychology & Mental Skills Training
- Sport Management
- Strength and Conditioning for Soccer Performance
- Football & Team Sport Training Methodology
- Fitness & Conditioning Training
- Tactical Analysis
- Talent Identification
- Goalkeeper Coaching Science
- Injury Reduction & Return to Play
