Part Two- Elsie: The Unexpected and Empowered High School Coach

This is a 3-part feature on one of the International Sport Connection's trained coaches, Elsie

What has the International Sport Connection done for Uganda?

“The International Sport Connection has changed the way that Ugandan coaches perceive soccer by doing things like coaching, training, managing and organizing their tournaments.  It has introduced the concept of mentoring to the Ugandan coaches. It has brought modern sports equipment to the country by giving them to those who did the course. It opened the eyes of the FUFA leaders that a course of that nature can be conducted with minimum costs by training very many people to equip them with the fundamental technique in coaching. It has boosted the Uganda's tourism industry in that it has opened it to US in a very way than before where trainers had to stay here for over a week, spending dollars here.  The training has strengthened the political bond between Uganda and the U.S. more than before the International Sport Connection cam to Uganda.”

How has International Sport Connection impacted the Ugandan women and girls?

“It has somehow changed the way they look at soccer because it was looked at as a game for the boys only.  After seeing and interacting with women instructors I believe there will be a great change. It has inspired more girls to play soccer and women to take part in soccer coaching and taking seriously as a job in future after seeing me and Majidah getting chances to go to US when we were fully sponsored. It has empowered them to do work as men do in sports area and even being recognized by the society as qualified soccer coaches after getting the certificates from International Sport Connection.”

The mission of the International Sport Connection (ISC) is to help coaches transition from a narrow focus on talent development and strategy implementation, to a more comprehensive vision of coaching, which promotes personal growth, appreciation of others, and community development. Furthermore, ISC stakeholders seek to empower coaches with comprehensive, high quality training, to encourage a commitment to continuous learning, and to promote creativity in meeting the unique challenges that arise while coaching children and youth. ISC stakeholders are committed to providing equal opportunities for male and female coaches, and encouraging girls to participate in sport, in culturally sensitive ways.

Thank you to the U.S. Department of State’s SportsUnited Division for supporting these important and inspiring programs.  Say tuned for the next entry in this three part series of how the International Sport Connection has impacted Elsie’s coaching life!

For more information check out the ISC website: www.internationalsportconnection.org

Or our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Sport-Connection/126772514045734