THE Petra organisation on Thursday wrapped up a two-day Football Coaching and Child-Safeguarding workshop at the Ministry of Education ground, ahead of the start of their ExxonMobil Under-14 boys and girls football tournament next week.

The workshop was facilitated by Orette Francois of the Ministry of Human Services and Jamaal Shabazz, former National Golden Jaguars head Coach.

Shabazz said that more seminars addressing teachers in this manner is the way to go for football, adding, “We [have] got to find a way to have more seminars like these, not just on the coaching but also in the safeguarding; this is an eye opener for me and really a good experience, because I have never done this with teachers.”

The participants expressed immense satisfaction on the information received, knowledge gained and practical footballing tactics.

Orette Francois commended the organiser for the initiative and encouraged the teachers/coaches to apply what they learn with the youths.

“My part of the programme was basically on child safeguarding, where we thought coaches how to spot abuse, identify abuse and what they should do if it is that they recognise a child being abused and to ensure their coaching is done in a manner that is not abusive to the children. Hopefully, they would have put into practice everything that they would have learned and are making a meaningful impact to the children of Guyana.”

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca strongly believes in providing coaches education for the development of the next generation, adding, “To see the persons who come out with these kids, the Saturdays or the Sundays, they are being well prepared and even compensated, I wish we can work together with the different agencies and you the teachers.”

The long-time football organiser says they are mulling how they can bring a monitoring and evaluation system in place to help coaches continue to develop their craft.

This two-day programme was sponsored by ExxonMobil and was supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Services

THE sixth edition of the ExxonMobil boys and girls U-14 schools football tournament is set to kick off on June 14, promising a month of intense youth football action, culminating on July 12 at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.