As football continues to develop across the globe, the interest and professionalisation of all aspects within the sport grows. The media exposure is at the highest levels since the inception of the game, bringing with it more demand for coaches, training ideas and coaching development pathways.
Offering more opportunities to participate, play and progress is fundamental to the development of the game for future generations.
Even before the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the nations in and around the African continent were in collaboration to continue their progression and professionalisation of the game. One of the leading lights in this project was the initiation of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) which was established by the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa – Zone 6.
COSAFA was an organisation bringing together 14 nations of Southern Africa under a single footballing umbrella, with the goal of developing the game in the region not just from a playing point of view, but also with respect to the standard of refereeing as well as administration of the game. COSAFA was formed in 1983 in Malawi, made up of 14 member countries.
The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations, officially abbreviated as COSAFA, is an association of the football playing nations in Southern Africa and is affiliated to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) has signed a continuing long-term partnership with the International Soccer Science & Performance Federation (ISSPF) to boost football-related industry knowledge across all levels in the region with a COSAFA-ISSPF Diploma in Football Science & Coaching.
The agreement is a huge step forward in the development of the game in Southern Africa and will open many avenues to a global career for those in the industry by providing quality coaching education across crucial spheres.
Coaches, performance & medical staff, from grassroots to the elite level, will have access to first-class online training courses delivered by some of the leading sport science and football coaching practitioners in the world.
Experienced global experts working in some of the biggest and most well-known football clubs, football associations and organisations will provide elite level knowledge to you in the comfort of your own working environment.
COSAFA & ISSPF have developed a bespoke COSAFA-ISSPF Diploma in Football Science & Coaching which will include fundamental coaching contents & modules in areas such as: Strength & Conditioning for Soccer Performance, Soccer Nutrition, Physical Training and Soccer Methodology as well as Soccer Psychology.
This COSAFA-ISSPF Diploma in Football Science & Coaching will provide the perfect framework to drive forward holistic coach education and football development within the region.
“We are delighted to align our organisation with the high level coaching, sport and football science development available within ISSPF….In addition, the development of the COSAFA-ISSPF Diploma in Football Science & Coaching, combined with the offering of the full range of ISSPF content and courses to our coaches across our 14 member associations, fits with our philosophy of providing elite education content to our national and regional coaches.
This relationship furthers our drive for football coaching educational opportunities to provide a community of coaches’ best practices and knowledge from experts around the world. Being able to provide COSAFA-based coaches with elite football education is a fantastic initiative, and I am excited that we can contribute to the applied football education and development here in Southern Africa.”
Sue Destombes
COSAFA Executive Director
ISSPF courses are designed online to provide first-class performance insights, continued professional development, extended learning and additional qualifications for those with an eagerness to grow their industry knowledge.
An official statement from the globally acclaimed ISSPF commented on the exciting partnership with COSAFA to roll out accredited & endorsed courses & Diploma in the African regions:
As a result of this innovation and thirst for knowledge amongst coaches in the region, the official collaboration & agreement between COSAFA & the globally acclaimed International Soccer Science and Performance Federation (ISSPF) to provide bespoke, online sport performance, football science training courses & resources delivered by leading international academic & performance professionals is now underway.
To learn more about the ISSPF courses you can visit ISSPF, or find them on Twitter (@ISSPFed) and Facebook (ISSPF).
“…ISSPF is absolutely delighted & honoured to partner with COSAFA. As an organisation, COSAFA is fully committed to developing all member association-based coaches, and we are extremely excited to play a fundamental part.
The opportunity to play a key role in the coaching development across the whole of the Southern African region fits with our values of player and coach development, whilst providing courses, especially the COSAFA-ISSPF Diploma in Football Science & Coaching which is directly aimed at improving the level of coaches, practitioners, students and learners with the African football family is something ISSPF are delighted with and motivated to play a key role within.
We are proud to work together for the progression of all individuals interested in enhancing their applied coaching and performance science, or football coaching knowledge, and assisting their career prospects through ISSPF.”
ISSPF Business Team
ISSPF.com
Full Suite of ISSPF Courses
- Nutrition
- Psychology & Mental Skills Training
- Business & Sport Management
- Youth Athletic Development
- Football & Team Sport Training Methodology
- Strength & Conditioning Training
- Goalkeeper Coaching Science
- Injury Prevention & Return to Play
- Training Load Management
