Luawa Football Club is currently training twenty academy coaches on the 10th Floor of the Freetown City Council building in Freetown.
These coaches represent the seven branches of Luawa FC Academy across the country, with participants from Freetown, Makeni, Kailahun, and Waterloo. The training is being conducted by Head Coaches Sebastian Bowles and his Assistant Coach Sillah. Coach Seb is a UEFA B licensed coach from the United Kingdom. Coach Sillah is a coaching instructor at the Sierra Leone Football Association.
He previously served as the national team coach for the U20 team and as an Assistant Coach for the senior national team. The first part of the training focused on technical, tactical, physical, and mental aspects of coaching. It included planning sessions at different cycles – macro, and microcycle.
The training covered various components such as warm-ups, technical and tactical drills, end games, and cool-downs, as well as analyzing sessions to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and gathering feedback from players. The Part Two session centres on player development to create successful gameplay. This involves understanding the pyramid structure, with the base emphasising technique for players aged 7-14, physique for players aged 14-17, game understanding for players aged 15-19, and player dedication and commitment for those aged 19 and above.
Coach Osman from Kenema expressed his satisfaction with the training, stating, “This is very good. The first time I was learning the details of coaching. I am glad I attended.” Coach Dalton Dumbuya from Makeni shared his delight in the knowledge he has gained, mentioning that he will apply what he has learned in his coaching at his branch. Coach Sheriff from Kailahun reflected on his experience, saying, “I have played football and been coached by others. I coach every day, but this training has opened my eyes.
I am a different coach returning to Kailahun.”
Coach Abubakarr Bangura of Waterloo is thrilled to be introduced to a more sophisticated coaching standard and expresses gratitude to Luawa FC for providing such an excellent opportunity. Mohamed Sesay states, “As a club, we are committed to upholding the highest standards and enhancing the skills of our coaches to develop quality players.”
