SAFA'S Development Plan in Action

This strategy further expands on the existing Youth Development, Technical and Women's Football Policies, which were originally expanded upon at a three day workshop convened by the President of the Association, Dr. Molefi Oliphant, at Vanderbijlpark in August 2008, in conjunction with South African Coaches, working in partnership with both FIFA and CAF.

The first phase of the strategy focuses on the appointment of a Technical Director and in this regard the Association's Technical Committee has short listed six candidates from their numerous applications, who will be applying for this position.These candidates all have extensive knowledge of Youth Development and Technical Strategies, as well as a track record with Member Associations in the areas of development, Club and Junior National Team levels.

The short listed candidates are: Conti Kubheka, Serame Letsoaka, Thabo Dladla, Farouk Khan, Desmond Lewis and Steve Horace Phiri.

SAFA's Technical Committee Chairman Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, advised that FIFA had commissioned two Technical experts to evaluate the above candidates over a ten day programme, which programme is inclusive inter alia, of physical preparation, game observation and Technical expertise. Arising out of the above, the name of the successful candidates will be submitted to the Technical Committee, who will then recommend to the National Executive, their preferred choice, during 2008.

Chief Nonkonyana further advised that as soon as this position had been filled, the successful candidate would be required to improve upon the existing Technical structure for the Association, in order to oversee and to implement amongst others, the following responsibilities:

• He will be responsible for the development of football in the country.
  
• He will prepare and design football development plans and programmes.
  
• He will establish communication channels with all football coaches in the country.
  
• He will embark on full scale grass roots football development.
  
• He will establish a coaching platform and junior structures in all the Regions and LFA's.
  
• He will establish Schools of Excellence at various venues during school holidays for purposes of talent identification and junior National Teams formation.
  
• The Technical Director will also act as a Technical Advisor to the National Executive Committee through the Technical Committee.
  
• The Technical Director is expected to make recommendations to the NEC through the Technical Committee on the appointment of all national coaches.

“The Technical Director will inter alia be required to spearhead and resuscitate the South African Football Coaches Association, and with the support of the Technical Committee will ensure that two Coaching Seminars are convened during 2009 - the first one focusing on aspects of Development, and the second on Profession Football in conjunction with the Association's Special Member, the National Soccer League.

“This process will create a platform for all Coaches and Technocrats to make a contribution in repositioning South African Football to tackle challenges beyond 2010. The success of our Leagues and our National Teams depends on sound development programmes, and we are optimistic that the assistance of CAF and FIFA will help us achieve our Long Term Development objectives,” says Chief Nonkonyana.