Bolton is new fulltime resident TD of GFF

Jan 11, 2015 Sports

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– developing an appropriate and solid foundation for Guyana is pivotal – Urling

By Franklin Wilson

Guyana’s football is set for takeoff with a sound technical and tactical foundation following the appointment of a new fulltime resident Technical Director (TD) by the Normalisation Committee (NC) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
Yesterday, in the boardroom of the GFF’s Dadanawa Street headquarters, Claude Francois Bolton a Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC) with over 15 years of professional coaching and technical experience was introduced by Chairman of the NC, Mr. Clinton Urling as the new TD for Guyana’s football.
Bolton, who served as TD of the GFF for one year back in 2000/2001 holds a United States Soccer Federation National “A” License, a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) “B” License, and an English Football Association International Coaching License will officially start the first day of his four-year contract tomorrow, the day that the Head Coach for the Barbados friendly international game on February 1, would also be presented to the Media at the GFF.
Bolton was the front runner of the eight (8) persons that applied and the final four that were shortlisted and interviewed based on the terms of reference that was contained in the advertisement. Among the final four was current GFF Technical Development Officer Mr. Lyndon France, Mr. Rajesh Latchoo (T&T Women’s Coach) and an English Coach, Mr. Kevin Mcgreskin.
In his introductory remarks, the former Regional Youth Head Coach of the MLS Team, the Vancouver Whitecaps expressed gratitude to the NC for affording him the opportunity of serving Guyana’s football.
“I’m humbled and quite proud to be able to have this opportunity. We still haven’t tapped where we can go as a country; many people here understand football to be a tool of social development and very clearly can be.
What we’ve been able to accomplish in that short time when Mr. Shabazz was the Head Coach only gives us a glimpse if where we could go with a sustained programme of development and together I think with football, the government, people of Guyana, the media, great things are on the horizon for Guyana.”
He {Bolton} was quick to reiterate that there must be a plan and a long term one in order to ensure holistic development for Guyana with all on board.
“The NC was clear in this regard and was also pellucid on what the mandate would be for me, the programme and the people involved, making sure we have checks and balances as we go.”
Using the FIFA guidelines which speaks to the role and responsibilities of the TD, Urling highlighted that Bolton would be primarily guided by the four pillars that FIFA has in place:
1. Football for all , mass football; 2. Coaches’ education, 3. Elite football, 4. Research in football topics.
Urling noted that football for all and coaches education would be given priority by the TD who will be the main architect of Guyana‘s football programme.
“All the coaches would fall under the Technical Department and by extension the TD. According to FIFA the National Technical Director cannot under any circumstances also be the National Team Coach and there’s a clear distinction between National Coach and TD.”
Urling pointed out that the success of the TD would not be determined by how far the Golden Jaguars go in the World Cup qualifiers, “We’ll be judging him based on how he implements the developmental programme for the GFF.”
Bolton will be part of the NC’s committee meetings to advise on progress and the way forward which would include women’s and youth development.
In a nutshell, Urling said that Bolton would be responsible for developing an appropriate and solid foundation for football in Guyana.
“It is also an expectation from the NC that Mr. Bolton will create a short term plan for 2015 and also a longer term development plan for either four or eight years.”
Speaking to the issue of how Bolton would be paid, given the current indebtedness of the GFF, Urling said that the GFF has financially enough to pay Bolton.
“We’ve discussed already the situation in terms of where the GFF is financially and it’s not a good place currently. But there are resources available from FIFA, also resources will come from sponsors based on some of the work that we do and also fund raisers as we move forward the entire year.”
Urling is also hoping that the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Sport would also come on board and assist similar to what transpires in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
While there are monies there to be drawn down in terms of World Cup bonuses, the NC boss was quick to reiterate that there are certain procedures and requirements that the GFF must be follow and fulfill in order to be eligible.
“Once that’s done we definitely will have sufficient funds not just for 2015 but to use those funds with a longer term framework in mind. We don’t want to spend one million US all out in 2015. I know that the GFF owes 90 million, once we receive the funding and we put together a schedule, players would be at the top of that list, we will honour of our debts.”
Bolton said that he is very satisfied with the contractual arrangements which were handled in a professional manner.

General Responsibilities
• Develop, and implement a clear and thorough Technical Development plan with a Technical Chart aimed at continually promoting and improving the game of football in Guyana at all levels from Grassroots to Elite football including youth football, women’s football, futsal, beach Soccer, and Coaching Education.
• Advise the GFF on all matters related to the effective development of football in Guyana and be accountable for the development of a strategy and policy for the performance of football programmes
• Work, advise and support the various Youth National teams and coaches through development programmes in order to enable Guyana to attain its goals within CONCACAF and FIFA, including putting in place clear systems and processes for identifying and developing talented players
• Ensure that excellent relationships are developed and maintained with all football related stakeholders in order to ensure a cohesive and synergistic approach to the development of football is achieved and maintained
• Ensure that the Technical Department is appropriately staffed with suitably qualified individuals who are capable of implementing the agreed programmes thereby ensuring the growth and success of football at all levels
• Maintain a close and harmonious working relationship with CONCACAF and FIFA and other major stakeholders including the government of Guyana.
• Perform any additional duties and responsibilities as reasonably instructed by the GFF from time to time

Specific Responsibilities
• Training and development of coaches including design and updating of coaches manuals, facilitating licensing courses, developing a coaches Code of Conduct, arranging for expert and specialist coaches to deliver training clinics, education on rules of the game and creating and maintaining a library of resources including books, videos and articles for coaches to access
• Establish and deliver a comprehensive and nationwide Grassroots programme at both the community level and in the schools through strategic partnerships within the communities and with various Government Ministries and Agencies. This must include creation of a “D” license and certification for Grassroots Educators.
• Establish and deliver a National Women’s Development plan including training and recommending staff members for National Women’s team coaches at the U-17, U-20 and Senior levels.
• Define and disseminate a national football philosophy.
• Establish clear pathways for player development including establishment of a National Talent Identification system identify, train and protect talented young players to ensure their progression from Grassroots to Elite
• Research and monitoring of developments in the football world including studying of major competitions, training methods, fitness, philosophies, opportunities for further development of the game and organizing of national seminars to promote technical activities.

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