12 June 2009

UNITED LOOKING TO NORWEGIAN F.C. CONNECTION

Maritzburg United’s Head of Development, Katz Naidoo has just returned from Norway on a coaching prelude to his Level 3 Qualification and took the opportunity to link up with Viking F.C. He was there from the 30 May to 09 June 2009.

"It was a great opportunity to view the changing coaching trends and football development that is taking place on the other end of the globe", said Katz.

Coaches on the Level Three Course as part of their qualification badge have a License to coach anywhere in the globe but need to be credited by a foreign club in analyzing their performance, over-viewing their training methodology, designing training sessions, coaching and developing insight in youth development.

"My visit to Viking’s F.C. was a eye opener. Their exceptional organizational skills from an administrative perspective to their training methods from their 1st. team to the youth teams resulted in United forming an exploratory relationship that could lead to a possible partnership.

"I held a meeting with Mr. Kjell Inge Olsen, the Academy Director who was responsible for my programme during this undertaking. Our discussions revolved round their youth structures, satellite centres and coaching methodology. Interestingly their club is split into two distinct parts, one being the commercial wing and the other being football, each with a different Board of Directors.

"They provide development from the kindergarten stage through to U13’s, U15’s, U16’s, U18’s to elite groups in the same age groups. The elite teams train at their main centre while the other teams operate from the four satellite centres that are located in the Stavangar region.

"The other area that grabbed my attention was the work ethic of the Coaches attached to the Youth Structure. The Coaches working with the elite groups were employed on a full time basis and those attached to the satellite centres were teachers who operated on a part time basis and were made up of both males and females. Their programmes operated five days a week with the elite teams having up to 8 sessions a week.

"I have already extended the hand of friendship to Viking F.C. It is now Maritzburg United’s objective to create a mutually beneficial partnership so that we can keep abreast with modern international development coaching trends.

"Vikings F.C. have also indicated that they would like visit South Africa so that they can over view Maritzburg United’s Development Wing. We look forward to their visit and anticipate their investment in our programme."

United’s Head of Development, Katz Naidoo presents an autographed replica to Vikings F.C. Academy Director Mr. Kjell Olsen.

Vikings F.C. Academy Director presents his Club’s replica to Katz.

Vikings F.C. U13 elite squad listens attentively to the training session objectives presented by Katz prior to the session.