Six Montreal Impact coaches began an intensive coaching training on December 7th , with the goal of obtaining their A License certification from the Canadian Soccer Association.
Montreal Impact head coach Mauro Biello and his assistant Jason Di Tullio are part of the group, as well as Academy director and FC Montreal head coach Philippe Eullaffroy, new Impact U18 head coach Yoann Damet, Impact U16 head coach Wilfried Nancy and Academy goalkeeper coach Jack Stern.
“As it is the highest certification level in Canada, it says a lot to see this many coaches from the club,” said Philippe Eullaffroy. “It shows the quality of coaches we have in our club. If everyone gets their certification, it would probably mean we have one of the most qualified groups in Canada. We are eager to learn, to progress and to exchange knowledge. A high level educator in this club needs to have this mentality.”
The A License is the highest coaching level in Canada, but the path to obtain the certification is not simple. On top of certain conditions that need to be met in order to register, one must also go through an intensive 10-day program, where each day is often up to 12 hours long. The program includes theory classes, practical classes and tests. The instructors come back on what was learned every night after dinner. The coaches are back for a second time the following year to do continue their training. Finally, they are evaluated in their own clubs.
“It’s long days where we work really hard,” said Mauro Biello. “The fact that we are with so many coaches, to discuss and see how they do certain things, helps us progress. There is always something to gain from these courses. We learn a lot on the structure and the Canadian model.”
Classes tackle several topics such as possession skills, counterattack, defending with a back line of four players or three players, or free kicks.
“We are coaches and the sport is always evolving, so we need to be open to learn,” added Biello. “In the end, it’s to help the Academy and first team players.”
During the courses, the Canadian Soccer Association had at its disposal the U13, U14, U16 and U18 Impact teams for the practical classes of the day.
A License for a goalkeeper coach
Jack Stern is the only goalkeeper coach taking the class. In fact, it’s not so common for coaches in this position to do this type of license, since there are often formations offered specifically to goalkeeper coaches. For Stern, he absolutely wanted to take it.
“It’s really important for me. We ask the club’s goalkeepers to understand the game and give instructions on the field. If we want them to have this knowledge, the goalkeepers coach needs to understand the game as well. I train goalkeepers and it’s my passion, but it’s necessary to help them understand the game. It’s also important to be able to understand the decisions taken by the head coach or his assistants during the game.”
The will to learn and to follow a sport that evolves every day is present at every level in the club. What is learnt will surely benefit the club as a whole in 2016 and onwards.
