Right now in Oman, an exciting new football coaching project has commenced! The British Omani Society has establishing the first ever coaching partnership between the English FA and the Oman Football Association, the two countries governing bodies for football, to train Omani football coaches in Oman. This is being done with the generous sponsorship of Oman LNG.
The intensive 8-day football coach training course has now started in Muscat, Oman, and will run until 12 February 2025. 14 Oman FA coaches, including 4 female coaches, are working with two expert UK FA Coach Developers - Amanda Greenslade and Danny Fenner - to achieve their UK FA certification and go on to share the skills and knowledge they aquire to benefit football in Oman.
We had the opportunity to ask the UK coaches a few questions before they left for Muscat to get to know them better and hear their thoughts about the upcoming project.
Q: Can you talk to us a bit about your background? How did you get into the work that you do today and what do you most enjoy about it?
Amanda: I grew up in a small village where there were not enough boys to make up a team, so a few of the girls in the village started to play. My love for the game grew from there, I played to a high standard in my late teens and started coaching the younger age groups from the age of 16. I trained to be a high school PE teacher and worked in education for 13 years. I always coached the school teams and was then given the opportunity to coach at academy level. I have worked at Doncaster Belles now for 8 years and oversee all the youth programmes as well as assisting with the First team. I joined the FA 5 years ago and have loved every moment.
Danny: My parents are Jamaican and moved to England in the 1960s. I was born and grew up in London all my life. Left school at 16 and was a keen sports person, this enabled me to gain qualifications in coaching sports in particular football. Worked in various boys academy and charity work. The FA coach development job came around by me doing some mentoring work for The FA. I love developing people who care about developing others.
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Q: Are you looking forward to the upcoming FA training project in Oman? What excites you about this type of project?
Amanda: I am absolutely looking forward to the upcoming FA training project in Oman. Projects like this are incredibly exciting because they offer a unique opportunity to share knowledge and skills while learning from others in return. What excites me most is the chance to contribute to the growth and development of Omani football, empowering coaches with tools and techniques to nurture talent and elevate the game locally.
Additionally, the cultural exchange aspect is fascinating working alongside coaches from different backgrounds provides fresh perspectives and insights, enriching both the training experience and my own understanding of how football unites people globally.
Danny: So excited, I have never been to the Middle East. I can’t wait to be immersed in the culture. Working with coaches who want to develop players, I would love to learn from the Omanis their way of coaching and developing.
Q: Have you worked with or trained with coaches or players from other countries before? If so, can you speak about the experiences you have had and what they taught you?
Amanda: I worked in the USA between 2003-2007 which was a great experience as I learnt different methods of delivering and how to work with different players. I have been fortunate enough to work with international players who have come through the club, learning about their cultures, their experience in the game and how they can best be supported has allowed me to develop as a coach and practitioner.
Danny: I worked in the USA between 2001-2005. Travelling from state to state was a great experience also staying with different hosting families. It taught me there are different ways to coach football. Not one way is the right way, but to be flexible and respectful in your approach.
Q: Can you talk to us briefly about the training you will provide to Omani coaches? Are there any particular aspects you would like to shed a light on?
Amanda: We will deliver the FA international course which will entail theory and practical support for the coaches to develop their players. I am also looking forward to sharing my experience from my coaching journey to hopefully help the coaches on the course.
Danny: As part of the course, we will look deeply into: who we are, how we coach, how we play, how we support and the future player.
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Q: What do you hope the Omani coaches will take away from the training project? And what do you hope to take away from it yourself?
Amanda: I hope the Omani coaches gain enhanced skills, knowledge, and confidence to apply modern and effective coaching techniques in their respective fields. I hope they leave with a renewed sense of purpose and passion, along with tools to foster teamwork, leadership, and motivation alongside practical suggestions to create a lasting impact on their teams or communities.
For myself, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of Omani culture, perspectives, and approaches to coaching. Engaging with the coaches will offer valuable insights into how different cultural contexts develop their football teams. Additionally, I hope this experience enhances my ability to adapt and communicate effectively in diverse settings, while also leaving me with a sense of accomplishment knowing I’ve contributed to their growth and success.
Danny: Embracing new ideas and putting the ideas into practice. Learning another way to develop players. Reflecting on good practice that they have used previously.
I am hoping to takeaway cultural experiences from Omanis, meeting new people, making a positive impact to coaches journey and making new friends.
Q: Football is popular all over the world. Why do you think football is so great at uniting people from different backgrounds?
Amanda: Football unites people from different backgrounds due its simplicity, accessibility, and universal appeal. Requiring only a ball and some space, it transcends socio-economic barriers, while its straightforward rules make it easy for anyone to join in. The sport fosters a shared passion and identity, as fans and players alike come together to support teams, creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie. International tournaments and multicultural club teams serve as bridges between cultures, promoting mutual respect and understanding. Football’s emotional highs and lows resonate universally, breaking down barriers and highlighting our shared humanity. As a global language, it connects people effortlessly, fostering communication, collaboration, and friendship in a way few other activities can.
Thank you so much to Amanda and Danny for taking the time to answer our questions and for letting us get to know them better. We hope you have a fantastic time in Oman in February.
We at the Society are very excited about this project and cannot wait to share more about it as the project continues. Readers keep an eye on our blog and social media for further updates!