The NFA Galz and Goals will host a four-day healthy lifestyle workshop for 40 coaches from six regions across Namibia from 26 to 29 May.
The initiative, in partnership with UNICEF and SCORE Namibia will take the opportunity to demonstrate the power of peer leadership.
The focus of the educational event is to provide a refresher course on the healthy lifestyles component of the football development initiative where coaches can act as positive role models within the communities in which they work.
SCORE Namibia’s acting national manager, Allison Furnis, explained the main aim of holding such a workshop and the importance of peer leadership.
“The aim of this Kicking AIDS Out! Peer Leader workshop is to educate, inform and train coaches and youth across Namibia about the concept of using sport as a tool in the fight against HIV and AIDS and in life skill enhancement, using specific Kicking AIDS Out! movement games,” Furnis said.
“Furthermore this workshop will look to enhance and promote healthy lifestyle behaviours among our community role models who will share this message with other community members and specifically young girls. The idea is that after this workshop, participants will have a greater understanding of general health and specifics around HIV and AIDS, as well as a full understanding of how to use sport and movement games to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS among young girls,” she added.
NFA secretary general, Barry Rukoro explained how they valued the importance of the refresher courses.
“Refresher courses are important for the continued development of our coaches. Coaches, like all other professionals need to refresh their knowledge all the time in order to keep up with the latest trends in their field of expertise. If they don’t, others will move forward and they will be left behind in terms of knowledge,” Rukoro said.
“Coaches, as much as doctors and other professionals, should always strive to refresh their knowledge with the latest trends in their chosen field,” Rukoro added.
Since its launch in November 2009, the initiative has attracted over 170 coaches working in six regions across Namibia. The coaches received initial training on healthy lifestyles when the project first established itself within each region. The workshop coincides with the 2011 Galz & Goals football season, which kicks off next month.