Isport Today

FAZ SOUTHERN PROVINCE CALLS FOR A FREE COACHING TRAINING

By Praise Mulambya - Isport correspondent



There is an urgent appeal from the FAZ Southern Province Chairperson, Moomba Nicholas, to affiliated clubs. He's concerned that only about 10% of clubs have registered coaches for a free, fully-sponsored coaching training (covering accommodation, meals, and fees) since it was announced in June. The training happens at four venues (Monze, Maamba, Choma Boarding, and Hillcrest Secondary) and aims to beat the previous Gwembe cohort of 60+ coaches trained. Names must be submitted to the Deputy General Secretary by Friday, with no late entries. He stresses that the FAZ E-Licence is now the minimum qualification for any coach on the technical bench, and urges clubs across Divisions 4, 3, 2, 1, and Women's Division 1 to register before the deadline.

: Possible Reasons for Low Club Registration

Subject: Feedback on Low Coach Registration Turnout

While the training opportunity is generous and well-intentioned, the low uptake likely reflects structural and practical barriers rather than disinterest. Key considerations for the committee:

1. Mismatch between coach turnover and registration requirements
Clubs frequently change coaches between seasons — new coaches join, others leave. If FAZ's registration process requires a coach to already be formally registered with FAZ Southern Province before they can be nominated for this training, many clubs are stuck: they can't register a new coach for training because that coach isn't yet in FAZ's system, and they can't get into FAZ's system without foundational training/licensing. This creates a chicken-and-egg problem.

2. Majority of active coaches may be unregistered
If, as suspected, most grassroots and lower-division coaches were never registered with FAZ in the first place, the eligibility criteria may unintentionally exclude the very people this training is meant to help. The letter doesn't clarify whether unregistered coaches can attend and register during the process, or whether prior registration is a precondition.

3. Lack of clarity on registration requirements
The letter emphasizes the E-Licence as the outcome of training but doesn't explain what a club needs to have in place beforehand to nominate a coach. If clubs are uncertain whether their coach qualifies to attend, they may hesitate rather than risk a wasted or rejected submission.

4. Short notice and tight deadline
Despite being announced in June, the Friday deadline may not have allowed clubs (especially in Divisions 3 and 4, which often have fewer administrative resources) enough time to sort out internal registration paperwork.

5. Administrative capacity gaps at club level
Lower-division and women's clubs often lack dedicated administrative staff to handle FAZ paperwork promptly, which could compound the registration mismatch above.


Before the next registration push, FAZ Southern should clarify (in writing) whether:
- Coaches can register with FAZ at the point of nominating for this training, or
- Prior FAZ registration is mandatory before nomination.

Simplifying or combining these two steps into one process would likely remove the biggest barrier to participation.

Bart Barker Steps Down from Barts FC Men's Team to Focus on Barts Queens

By Praise Mulambya, iSport Correspondent

Bart Barker has officially stepped down from his role at Barts FC's men's team, announcing that his full attention will now turn to Barts Queens, the club's women's side.

Speaking on the decision, Barker explained that overseeing both the men's and women's programmes had become an increasingly demanding undertaking, and that stepping back from the men's team would allow him to give the growth of Barts Queens the dedicated attention it deserves.

The men's team will now be handed over to Armour's FC, who will take on the responsibility of steering the side forward. All from Choma town of Southern Province of Zambia.

Barker also confirmed that the transition marks the beginning of a broader push for grassroots development across both the men's and women's set-ups, with further details expected to be announced in due course.

iSport will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available.

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