Louis Lancaster
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands; Thursday, May 22nd 2014 – Louis Lancaster, one of the most highly rated coaches in the United Kingdom is conducting training sessions with the Turks and Caicos Football Association (TCIFA) this week. Mr Lancaster has coached and managed teams around the world, as well as working for Arsenal Ladies, Watford FC, Brentford FC and Portsmouth FC. He holds a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) ‘A’ license and the prestigious Elite Coaching License (Level 5), being one of the 16 candidates invited to take part in that course.
In the Turks and Caicos for ten days, Louis – as he is affectionately called – is taking part in the Football Association’s (FA) Guest Coach Program that was launched earlier this year. Under this program the FA has invited top-level coaches to the Islands to conduct coaching sessions with the youth and senior players within the program.
Taking a break from coaching, Louie sat down with Courtney Robinson, Press and Media Director at the TCIFA for a brief interview.
When coaching, Louis says that in all his sessions he strives for three things: “One, make the session as enjoyable as possible; two, make it educational and three, try to make the session as realistic.” He mentioned very passionately that the training environment should be as close to the game environment as possible. As the game itself is random, chaotic and a complete mess, then training should be too. He went on to add that if the training is not fun, educational or realistic, then players become demotivated and no learning will take place, which has no added value to player development.
The celebrated coach, who describes himself as ‘enthusiastic, innovative and always gives 100% to every challenge he is faced with’, noted that the strength of a good coach is to understand your players, understand yourself and know the game. He also went on to discuss various coaching styles, stating there are coaches who are prescriptive and tell players what to do and there are others who are more player centered, shifting responsibility on to the players. Neither style is right or wrong but each style has a place. The best coaches can identify what is required at the right time.
“With long term development, I can take my time and let the players find out the answers by devising and delivering challenging sessions to stretch the players’ capabilities. For the last 6 months, for my personal development, I have concentrated heavily on not devising sessions, but framing exploratory questions that I can ask players to get them thinking more tactically. Coming here for ten days, to work with the Women’s and Men’s National Team (who have games this week), means I haven’t got this amount of time. This is about short-term effects and maximum impact. There’s one thing on my mind…we’re here to win. So it’s my job that players know their jobs, do their jobs and most importantly stick to the plan said the Hatfield, Herts native.
Asked what he looks for in a good footballer, Lancaster said: “I usually assess players in four areas. Socially – how they get along with other players and their communication skills, whether it be verbal or non-verbal. Physically – what their makeup is, i.e. strong, quick, tall, short etc. Technique – how they receive, release, retain and run with the ball. Psychological – this for me is the biggest focus. I have seen many players who have outstanding ability and who can meet all the physical demands of the modern game. However, not just in football but in all industries, it is that desire, determination and hunger that helps people reach the very top. An individual’s desire, resilience and determination are what drive everything else. I have met many players who possess great attributes, but do not possess that cutting edge and therefore fall out of love with the game. Too many players are looking for excuses, when actually they need to take personal responsibility for their development and their career. Do coaches produce players or do players produce themselves?”
When asked what do you think of the TCIFA training programmes, without hesitation he said: “I think it’s brilliant, I am really impressed. What the FA has accomplished here is remarkable and they should be extremely proud of their achievements. Where I thought they would be and where there actually are, are completely separate ends of the spectrum and in the right way. They have the facilities, players who are hungry and want to learn and Craig (Harrington, TCIFA’s Technical Director) and his team who are driving everything forward. After dealing with the Women’s National team, boys U9’s – 13’s, Men’s U20’s and the Men’s National Team I have no doubt that Turks and Caicos will continue to make huge steps moving forward.”
Louie went on to add: “My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time and we would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to the FA for their hospitality. This is something I have found personally and professionally very rewarding and I would like to wish the Women’s and Men’s National team competing in the Caribbean Cup the very best of luck, not that they need it!”
For more information on the TCIFA, kindly contact Sonia Bien-Aime, Secretary General on 941-5532 or email tcifa@tciway.tc.
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ABOUT Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association – The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) is a non-for-profit organization in the business of football development throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. The TCIFA has been in operation since 1996, and a member of FIFA, since 1998.
