30 August 2023 – SAFA U17 Women’s National Team Head Coach Simphiwe Dludlu is off to Colorado Springs in the United States of America to further her studies in the International Coaching Enrichment Program (ICECP).
Dludlu will be in the USA between 1-22 September 2023, where she will spend the first and last week at the University of Delaware, Newark. She will spend the second week at the University of North Carolina for an Apprenticeship, and travel back to Newark and to regroup, share her experience at the University of Delaware.
“I am very excited though it has been a tough couple of months. We have been attending to modules and submitting assignments since April until 21 August online;” said Dludlu
“To have made the cut by being up-to-date with my work and get approval to attend the in-person face-to-face class is a dream come true. I remember during camps with Banyana Banyana, I would be chasing deadlines to submit assignments during different time zones between SA-New York- New Zealand and Australia during the World Cup. Those were the most difficult times because the camp schedules are always hectic.
“I’m finally days away from facing a world of possibilities and new challenges. I can only be grateful for the South African Football Association and SASCOC for believing in me as a suitable candidate to attend this course. This course is very intense and so far I have learned a lot and gathered information that will empower me to the next level of my Coaching career.
“Everything is coming together with the current qualifications (BSport Science degree -2011 ; UEFA B licence-2013; CAF A licence 2014). I feel very elated to have had a great journey of opportunities and experience of Coaching the U17 at a World Cup in 2018 and serving as an assistant Coach for the history-making Banyana Banyana at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“When I started with my first Coaching Course in 2008 (Introductory), today we call it SAFA D-Licence, it was at the peak of my career and I knew my life would never be the same. Today, all of it is paying off and I am excited about what lies ahead;”said Dludlu to www.www.safa.net