By Michael DaSilva

TWENTY-FIVE coaches and 70 youths benefited from Pele Football Club’s Coaches Seminar and Soccer Camp that was conducted yesterday at the Georgetown Football Club’s (GFC) facility as part of Pele FC’s 45th Anniversary celebration.The programme, which was coordinated by founder member of Pele FC, Ivor `Brazilian’ Jones, saw coaches from several Georgetown clubs as well as a few from the East Bank of Demerara benefit from theory, tactical and technical sessions that lasted two hours.
When they were finished, the coaches were then given the opportunity to impart what they had learnt to the 70 youth footballers drawn from clubs and schools mainly from Georgetown.
On completion, Jones told Chronicle Sport he is satisfied that what the coaches were taught earlier in the day, was indeed imparted to the youths from his observation during the four-hour session which was interrupted by the lunch break, sponsored by the Pele Alumni Corporation of North America.
Jones said one of the things covered was Respect’ “These kids seem not to have respect for their coaches and with that they would not have respect for anyone”.
According to Jones the coaches also did skill drills (attack, defence and midfield play) and he advised the coaches to incorporate the drills into a game situation.
Jones said during the day’s activity, what he imparted to the coaches was almost immediately evident as the youths showed much improvement.
He, however, hopes that the transition will continue after the Pele Alumni return to North America.
“I gave the coaches a template and I hope the concept is transmitted from youth soccer, to intermediate and then to elite soccer,” Jones stated. He added, “Every day, as a coach you see things happening on the field of play and so you have to correct the mistakes, so I think coaches of any club have to meet at least every six weeks and discuss what is needed.”
Pele’s Alumni treasure and former national player, Patrick `Labba’ Barton, expressed the hope that the coaches who benefited from the seminar would take back what they have learnt to their respective clubs and impart the knowledge so as to develop their respective clubs.
Each of the youths who participated in the camp was also given a football and a backpack with school supplies..
Meanwhile, beginning at 14:00hrs today, Pele Under-15s will oppose their counterparts from Santos.
The second game brings together Pele Under- 17s against Santos Under-17s, while Pele overseas Masters take on Santos Masters. In the feature game today Pele Elite will tackle Santos Elite from 17:00hrs.