Chukwu Patrick, a young coach based in Benin City, has charged youth football coaches in various grassroots clubs nationwide to ensure they keep learning new ideas in the round leather game. He reckoned that the real value of coaching is seen at the grassroots level.
While using himself as a case study, Patrick, who is a fresh graduate from the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in Lagos, disclosed that he might enrol for another course sometime in the future.
Patrick explained his viewpoint in a chat with Sports247 during which the new graduate added that he was able to learn a lot during the course that ended this week.
Patrick began by stressing, “Being a coach, you must always seek knowledge; either by going back to school, attending seminars or online. There are a lot of CBT courses that you can see online. So, being a coach in any discipline, you must always seek to gain more knowledge.
That’s why I also see myself coming back here for a short course or even a long-term programme. Anything that involves learning more, I’m available for it.”
While revealing that he is currently the coach of a community-based club in Edo State, Patrick admitted that grassroots tacticians need faith, self-confidence and encouragement in order to make progress.
Patrick added, “I currently work at Evbukhun Football Academy. It’s named after a community in Benin City. My experience there has shown me that coaches at the grassroots level need a lot of encouragement. At the same time, they also need to seek knowledge.
They should be ready to learn something new all the time and to keep on trying. Above all, they must have faith in God. They need to believe in something because, without faith, you can’t achieve anything.”
Patrick concluded with a confession that he would readily jump at any opportunity that could take him out of his current level, as he also has an aspiration of reaching a higher stage of coaching than he currently enjoys.
“If I see an opportunity out there that is favourable, I will consider it and take it. After this course, I will still try to get a coaching licence and follow the due process. I’ll just take it one step at a time.
It’s a journey which I’ll strife to enjoy. I’m happy being young and starting out early. Thank God for it. So, whatever the offer is, I will consider it. If it’s favourable for me and my people, I will take it up.
That’s my long-term goal and a lifestyle of ambition that I like to follow,” Patrick concluded
