Former Golden Jaguars captain and aspiring tactician Christopher Nurse says that it is imperative that the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) provide a pathway and platform for the many former national stalwarts to serve the national programme.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport, Nurse, 36, declared: “We have an abundance of former national players with the relevant licenses to coach at the highest level.
“Being afforded the opportunity is a different topic. It’s important that Guyana provide a pathway for these coaches to work, because if your own nation does not give the opportunity, why should anyone else?”
Nurse disclosed that several former and current Golden Jaguars alumni have entered the coaching fraternity with the objective of lending a hand in the development of the programme. Among the aspiring coaches are former players Kayode McKinnon (B-License), Carl Cort (B-License), Walter Moore (B-License), as well as current Golden Jaguars Sam Cox (A-License) and Neil Danns (B-License).
According to Nurse, he is in the process of consolidating his position and ambition as a professional tactician.
“I have been coaching professionally now for three years. I was assistant coach for Tooting & Mitcham FC, a club where we have had numerous national players come from the UK to represent Guyana. Since that time I have now been in the US two years. I was Director of Coaching at Miami Lakes United Soccer Club, and now since moving on, I am the Assistant Coach for USL Two team Weston FC and a MLS Elite Academy Coach for Weston FC U16. It’s great for me to gain all this experience coaching. I spent close to 15 years playing the game at a respected level and now I have become a student of the game on the coaching side.”
Among his credentials, Nurse boasts a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Therapy, a National Diploma in Sports Studies, a FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine, a Football Association Level 1 Award in Talent Identification & Psychology and Football Marketing and Management from the Sports Institute of Barcelona, as well as a United States Soccer Federation B-License.
He added: “My coaching career has begun very well. I currently have the privilege of working alongside Luis Mendoza who is probably one of the best coaches I have spent time around. His man management techniques, demeanour and persona as a coach and director is exemplary and his knowledge and understanding of the game is second to none having competed at the highest level as a professional player in Venezuela. I have also started my own coaching company (LOVE THE BALL) SOCCER ACADEMY FLORIDA) helping to develop the next generation of players here in south Florida. In a short period of time we have worked with MLS Academy Players, Division 1 College players and youngsters just beginning their soccer journeys.”
Asked what qualities he can bring to the national coaching programme if given an opportunity, Nurse declared, “I don’t want to speak too much on what I could bring to the table because football is not a talker’s game. It’s a results business and a performance industry. Over the years we have witnessed many false prophets verbally articulating how they will positively impact Guyana Football and when they leave, we are none the better. I am ready and willing and with each day evolving and growing as a coach becoming more and more refined and experienced in my coaching capabilities.”
He continued, “When the time is right and the opportunity presents itself, I look forward to being afforded the opportunity to represent Guyana National Programme again in a different capacity to an on field player. Until that time I wish the national programme all the best and will continue to interact and support the younger players and independent projects like the Vurlon Mills Academy who has started a great initiative.”
