HERBERT RETURNS WITH TOP QUALIFICATION
All Whites Head Coach and New Zealand Soccer High Performance Manager Ricki Herbert returned home from England this week having successfully achieved Europe’s highest qualification, the UEFA A Coaching Licence.
Herbert was one of 40 candidates seeking an A Licence. 40 candidates from all around the world that fork out thousands of dollars each year (some are forced to repeat the course) to attain the ultimate in football coaching qualifications. South Africa, Canada, America, Iraq, Greece, Spain, England and Bulgaria were all represented on the course held at Lilleshall Sports Centre over the past 2 weeks.
Herbert was one of only 7 candidates that came away having passed the course, putting into perspective the All Whites Head Coach’s achievement.
Herbert was under no illusions as to how tough the course would be, given he started some months ago with part one, also in England and has continued on back in NZ with course work and practical studies that have all contributed to his pass mark.
“This was an incredibly intense and difficult course, culminating in the two weeks at Lilleshall in the Midlands, said Herbert.
“Our time was taken up with practical sessions, theory lectures and study towards our individual presentations. There wasn’t a spare minute in the day and not a moment when you weren’t under pressure to deliver under the eye of the assessors. It was also a most fulfilling experience to know I have completed the course and been one of the few to gain the UEFA A Licence. Football has been my career for some years now and I am determined to never stop learning in this ever changing coaching game.”
Herbert was in England courtesy of a Prime Minister’s Scholarship, awarded through SPARC with a direct focus on studying towards and achieving the UEFA A Licence. The Prime Minister’s Scholarship is designed to assist a coach or official to better themselves and to pass on that knowledge to the code back home.
New Zealand Soccer CEO Graham Seatter says the entire organisation can be proud of Herbert’s achievement.
“Ricki is someone who is constantly looking to learn more about the game and the art of coaching. His efforts in gaining the UEFA A Licence are meritorious but all the more so given his high pass marks in what was clearly a very tough course. He has represented himself, New Zealand Soccer and SPARC brilliantly in attaining this world renowned qualification.”