MEXICO CITY, Mexico (CMC) — The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) on Friday launched its first official licencing programme for coaches aimed at raising the standard of the sport throughout the region.

CONCACAF said that the D Licence coaching course, unveiled in Mexico City, will establish the foundation for the future proliferation of a comprehensive educational curriculum.

“This first CONCACAF D Licence course represents yet another milestone in the development of the Confederation,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb to the 28 participants from the Spanish-speaking member associations present at the inaugural ceremony. “It is our duty to educate the educators in order to unveil the true talent within each player.”

The new licencing system, designed and executed by CONCACAF’s Development Office and funded by the Confederation as part of its ongoing commitment to the growth of the sport, will provide coaches from across the region with a valuable, internationally recognised licence, as well as the tools to impart that knowledge at the local level.

Experts in coaching/player development are leading the instruction of the D Licence training course, which consists of educating coaches in the following areas: the principles of coaching, the adequate training by age, the fundamentals of planning training sessions, physical training, health and security, the development of community clubs, among other components of coaching football.

“We are very pleased that the new administration at CONCACAF is identifying talent and investing in training and development,” said Justino Compean, president of the Mexican Football Federation, during his opening remarks that welcomed Webb and the trainers to Mexico.

“We are indeed honoured that Mexico has been selected to receive such skilled coaches from the region.”

After four days of training, the 28 participants (20 men and eight women) will be subjected to an examination, after which they will receive their CONCACAF D Licence certification.

Following the inaugural training, the coaching course will also be conducted in the Cayman Islands from August 22-25, and in Aruba and Grenada during September.