Following the Impact of the International Sport Connection: Daniel's Journey

The International Sport Connection is a network of coaches and it is rewarding to see the previously trained coaches reaching out in their own communities to pass on knowledge and skills that he has received through the International Sport Connection Coach Training Programs.

Daniel Kiwanika was a former Ugandan National Team Goalkeeper.  After his playing career ended, he left the game he loved to meet the needs of his family.  It wasn’t until 2010 when the International Sport Connection came to Uganda did he consider coaching as a way to give back to the game that gave him so much.

 

“I was beaten down by the selfish people around the game of soccer in my country.  But when I attended the International Sport Connection course in 2010, I liked what I heard from the American Instructors.  They taught us about mentoring, giving back, and servant leadership.  It wasn’t coach-centered, it was player-centered.  I liked learning about how to raise the girls and boys of our country into wives and husbands that will win at life.”

 The International Sport Connection Director, Dr. Jens Omli, saw a lot of potential in Coach Daniel and invited him to the U.S. for the coach exchange portion of the program.  In the United States, Coach Daniel learned about different coaching styles, observed training sessions, and spent time building relationships with Americans.

 

“America was full of new experiences,” explained Daniel.  “The facilities are very advanced but the people made me feel like I was welcomed everywhere I went.”

Daniel is now motivated to do more for his community.  During his time off from his full-time job as a plumber, he spends time coaching at a young soccer club and on the weekends he travels for 2 hours to a remote part of Jinja to run practices for village children.

Assistant Director of the ISC, Lisa Berg, was invited to be a part of one of these remote visits in September of 2012.  Berg worked alongside Coach Daniel teaching players passing and receiving skills, communication, and teamwork.  She also enjoyed playing with the kids and talking to players about their experiences.