I find it uplifting to see the growing number of ‘organized’ football academies giving young players a chance to hone their skills these days. In our time, the closest experience to structured football some of us got was playing Chimpombwa in some Inter – Komboni tournament.
Once in a while, I make time to see these kids in training at their respective academies and it warms my heart to find them beaming with big dreams and hopes of making it on the big stage of our game.
My focus is, however, not on the players, but on the drivers of the players’ hopes and dreams. The Youth Development Coaches.
You see, these guys are the shapers of the path to destiny, they are the heroes of the process that gives birth to the stars that you and I come to celebrate at the big stage albeit we overlook them when their products hit stardom.
Nevertheless, these men and women give it their all to ensure they do the most so that what the creator installed in the boys and girls comes to life under their tutelage. I am tempted to ask, what is it in there for Youth Development Coaches?
I know they do it out of passion, satisfaction from seeing their products flourish, and the faith that their reward is in heaven. But surely should we wait for rapture before these heroes get their reward?
These coaches, like all of us, have a hierarchy of needs to climb, they hold the aspiration of giving the best life to their children and family, owning property, gaining financial freedom and attaining other endeavors of personal development, like better qualifications (coaching badges and other professional development programs) and bigger jobs.
With very little to no pay in most youth team setups, the above remains but just a dream or wish list for most of these budding star handlers. You can only imagine the frustration when some of these youngsters are sold off by owners for what seem to be good returns and nothing accrues to the coaches.
I give the Youth Development Coaches credit because despite these challenges, they still put in a lot of hours of work to prepare sessions, conduct them, and research on how their teams can do better.
It brings me to another issue, academies need to be protected. For years, top clubs have bullied academies, getting some of the best talents at no cost. Time is ripe for the big guys to be made to pay. The old tradition of a few match balls and some jerseys can’t cut it anymore. Compensation must reflect the true value of the players.
While initiatives like FIFA solidarity fund exist, some may not know about them and continue to lose out. For the immediate and going forward better policies around compensation are required, representatives in the form of Unions must come in accordingly, and associations must champion the cause for their members. Something must be done.
I am not naïve and the experience I have from my involvement in the game reminds me that while football is a beautiful game, the happenings in the background are often ugly but for their efforts, in shaping tomorrow’s stars, coaches and clubs involved in youth development deserve handsome rewards!
Take away Youth Development Coaches and these academies, and you will probably not have an under – 17 team to rival nations like Morocco who have better facilities and structures. While we are at it, a big congratulations to the Junior Chipolopolo on the World Cup qualification and hats out to everyone involved.
By Franklyn M Malambo
📸 : Mathews Kabamba
#FootballMissionary – 2025.04.08
I agree with the article’s point that Youth Development Coaches are often overlooked despite their vital role in shaping future football stars. These coaches put in immense effort with little reward, and it’s high time for better compensation and support for academies. Their work is crucial for the growth of the sport and deserves more recognition.
100% credit must be given more especially for girls football.