Ghardaïa, Algeria – Global Sports Partners (GSP) recently completed a training in Transformational Coaching: Level 1 for 18 football (soccer) coaches in Ghardaïa. The coaching sessions were led by Coach Kelly Findley, Coach Diego Munoz, and GSP Project Director Marc Neie from December 13-16, 2024. Jeunes Talents Oasis – Ghardaïa (JTO) hosted the event. The training was a great success training coaches of different levels and different ages, from U8s to U20s.
The three and a half day training consisted of morning classroom sessions focused on theory, held at TaQimit N Tizefri Tacha, and afternoon sessions with practical implementation on the football pitch in Tafilalte.
The classroom sessions included both teaching and interactive activities with time for informal, personal interaction between the expert presenters and the coaches receiving the training. Subjects covered included: Building a Practice, Using Personality Assessments to Develop Team Dynamics, Being a Transformational Coach, Building a Training Schedule, Core Values, and Game Management.
During the time on the pitch, the GSP Experts worked with different teams to demonstrate how to implement what had been taught during the morning sessions. Sharing the “what,” “how,” and “why” of the strategies of a developing and executing practice, the coaches were shown how to incorporate greater purpose and intentionality in creating their own practices. On the last day on the pitch, the coaches were given the opportunity to coach their fellow coaches. During a time of discussion afterward, they reflected on their experience and evaluated themselves and one another.
One coach remarked that while he knew the technical side of coaching, he had never thought about the mental and psychological side. He shared that this training really filled a gap in his coaching.
JTO Ghardaïa and its President, Mr. Salah Sebai, were wonderful hosts for the GSP team. The GSP Experts were impacted by the welcome and kindness shown by the staff of JTO and the people of greater Ghardaïa area. One GSP coach astutely stated, “I am far away from my home and family, but you [the people of Ghardaïa] are making this feel like home.”
GSP looks forward to continuing the relationship with JTO Ghardaïa in the coming months, exploring next steps for trainings, as well as being available for questions and feedback from the participants in the Transformational Coaching: Level 1 Training.