FIFA has over the years ensured that capacity building forms a critcal pillar in shaping the game of football. From coaches, referees, administrators etc, the education trail has been continious.
One of such programmes is FIFA Elite Performamce Coach Mentorship Programme, a plan that pits together senior and accomplished coaches together with the budding ones.
The third edition of the aforementioned programme is underway in Zurich, Switzerland bringing together 20 experienced women football coaches and 20 young coaches.
The 18-month programme matches highly experienced coaches with those closer to the start of their coaching journey.
FIFA’s creative and innovative approach has already seen dozens of coaches kick-start their careers thanks to the knowledge they have collected on the journey during the past two editions of the programme.
From Africa, the senior coaches (referred to as mentors) are Desiree Ellis and Shilene Booysen both from South Africa.
Booysen is an experienced CAF A License coach who recently served as the head coach of the South Sudanese Women National Football Team.
On the other hand, Ellis has been the head coach of South Africa Women National Team (Banyana Banyana) since 2016 helping the team to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2022 and also guided the team to two FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances (2019 and 2023).
The other mentors outside of Africa include; Arthur Elias (Brazil), Francisco Neto (Portugal), Joe Montemurro (Australia), Nils Nielsen (Japan) and Angelo Marsiglia (Colombia).
In addition to providing young coaches an opportunity to learn from the seniors, the programme also aims to help female coaches achieve greater results in their current positions, offer coaching guidance and support on career development, and create a global community of female coaches.
Included in the programme are three in-person workshops, online mentoring sessions and up to five exchange visits between mentor and mentee.
Africa will have three young coaches (mentees) namely; Mildred Omari Cheche (Kenya), Selamawit Kebede (Ethiopian coaching Liberia) and Chris Yip-Au (Singapore origin coaching Seychelles).
Cheche made history last year, guiding the Kenya U17 Women’s National Team to the World Cup, the first appearance by any football team in the country.
Cheche who has been paired alongside Desiree Ellis could not her delight about the opportunity.
“Privileged to be selected and be part of the FIFA Elite Performance Coach Mentorship Program in Zurich, Switzerland that plays a crucial role in the development of coaches. Thank you to FIFA and Football Kenya Federation for supporting the growth of upcoming women coaches.” She wrote on her X account.
FIFA Chief Football Officer and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis believes this Programme will go a long way in trying to mitigate some of the barriers, like financial in terms of applying for coaching licences, awareness and support.