Margao: India coaches have picked up valuable lessons from the Premier League coach developers’ team, currently in Goa as part of Dream Sports Foundation’s strategic partnership for the AIFF Junior League.The Premier League team is led by Carl Plunkett, lead coach developer, Chris Foreman (Aston Villa), Colin Littlejohns (Everton), John Scott (Bournemouth), Max Chapman (West Ham United) and Sarah Lowden from the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMO).The coaches have been guiding their Indian counterparts in five distinct topics which include, managing matchday effectively, designing effective training sessions, session design frameworks, constraint-based coaching, and reflective practice.“This partnership is focused on coaching education, international exposure, and knowledge exchange,” said Neel Shah, CEO, Dream Sports Foundation. “It has been encouraging to see how thoughtfully the Premier League coaches have structured and facilitated their sessions, and the openness of Indian coaches, not just to learn, but to share and collaborate.”According to those who have attended the sessions, Indian coaches have received one-on-one coaching support by the PL coach developers, who have been visiting the respective clubs’ training sessions, and watching matches at Raia and Fatorda.“When you have workshops with Premier League coaches, it is extremely stimulating because you start to think more, you start to get into details. This helps you become a better coach,” said Harsh Roy, assistant coach, Reliance Foundation Young Champs.Similar views were shared by Surinder Singh, technical director at Minerva Academy.“They are doing things in a more professional way, which will help us progress Indian football,” said Surinder.The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has joined hands with Dream Sports to boost youth development and strengthen under-16 football in the country. The AIFF Junior League been re-branded as the Dream Sports Championship-AIFF Junior League Finals, the third edition of which is under way in Goa and will conclude on May 14.
