Richard Todd has backed the Bermuda Football Association’s “sensible compromise” to work further with clubs to ensure that their coaches meet the required coaching qualifications.
The Bermuda Football Coaches Association president was responding to the BFA’s announcement on Tuesday that it had issued a new deadline, January 31, 2019, for coaches to become compliant.
Eleven clubs faced having fines imposed or points deducted for not having coaches with the required qualifications by the original August 31 deadline.
Those clubs will now face possible fines if they fail to meet the new deadline.
“Some clubs have been slow to respond to the requirements to meet the change,” Todd said.
“The licence standards should be met and upheld by all the clubs with the BFA setting the example with compliance at the National Academy with their coaches appointed to teams.
“The licence policy not only includes coach education but also CPR and child protection requirements, which caused some coaches and clubs to be non-compliant at the start of the season.
“The BFCA supports the mandate for coach licensing and the standards established by the BFA to help improve the development and preparation of players and teams.”
Clubs faced having points deducted, which promoted them to call an urgent meeting a week after the BFA vowed to go ahead with sanctions at the annual Congress Meeting.
The clubs then met with the BFA in a Special Congress when they voted to extend the compliance deadline until the new year.
“The sanctions of point deductions sent a clear message to clubs and the BFA has their full attention,” Todd said.
“There was widespread support among the affiliates to not affect the integrity of the leagues with point deductions impacting league standings, with enforcement just coming into effect.
“In a bid to help all clubs become compliant, the request to extend the deadline was upheld by the majority of the affiliates, however, the clubs underscored their commitment to compliance by increasing the schedule of possible fines.
“The deterrent to the clubs to meet the extended deadline for this season is significant with possible financial penalties.”
Todd said the BFCA is willing to work with the clubs to ensure that coaches achieve the coaching qualifications.
“The delay of point deductions to resume in the sanctions for the 2019-2020 season provides a window for clubs to ensure that they have a necessary pool of qualified coaches,” he said.
“The BFCA will do its part to ensure that we offer the required license courses for the coach education requirements and work with organisations like Scars and CPR certified entities to schedule for coaches to meet the additional criteria for the start of the season.
“The BFA should be commended for taking the steps to implement the initiative and working with the clubs to bring the enforcement process into effect with a sensible compromise at this juncture.”
