It is vitally important that we recruit more black and ethnic coaches, says the PFA'S Joe Joyce!

Anti-Racism week is almost upon us again and the PFA is using it as a catalyst to try and recruit more coaches of black and ethnic origin. Joe Joyce - coaching supremo at the PFA - is delighted at the strides being made, but wants to accelerate the process even further. It is just another section of the ever-changing coaching arm of the PFA that is moving with the times in a modern, flexible world. Joyce spoke exclusively to givemefootball's Ian Clarkson about what plans are in the pipeline for the coaching department in the coming months and dispelled the myth that this is a 'quiet' time in the world of coaching.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO RECRUIT MORE BLACK AND ETHNIC COACHES TO THE GAME?

We think it is vitally important and are looking to do so through coaching qualifications. If you look at the percentage of black players currently playing football then there is a disparity between the number of black players in senior coaching positions and we are looking to redress the balance at the PFA.

HOW HAVE YOU DONE THAT?

We have a great role model at the PFA in the former Arsenal player, Paul Davis.  Through coach education, Paul has managed to get all his relevant badges and is now tutoring our courses.  Paul has gone through the player/coach/coach-educator route and is a great example for other players.

AND ARE PEOPLE FOLLOWING THAT LEAD?

Most definitely. Paul Mortimer, Gary Bennett, Howard Gayle, Andy Kiwomya, Wayne Allison, Shaun Bartlett and Brian Deane are just some of the black players who came on our coaching courses in the summer.  As with playing, I am sure that more black and ethnic coaches will filter into the coaching world but we want to accelerate that natural progression.

YOU ARE ALSO OFFERING HELP TO THE YOUNGER PLAYERS IN THE GAME THROUGH COACHING INITIATIVES AREN'T YOU?

All the scholars coming into the game are now on a two-year modern apprenticeship. We will help all the players get their Level 2 coaching certificate by the time they have finished and we feel that it is an important part of the player's development.  Anything that is relevant to football has to help them and it improves their technical and tactical knowledge and also teaches them the laws of the game.  It is a really good package for them.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PLAYERS TO GET THESE QUALIFICATIONS?

By the age of 21, 80 per cent of scholars who arrived in the game five years previously will no longer be playing professional football.  The PFA has always been pushing for an educational package so the players have something to fall back on.  Rather than start again theses coaching qualifications mean that they have a head start in forging a different career.

HAVE YOU GOT ANY EXAMPLES OF THAT?

During the last half-term holiday I took my five-year-old son, Thomas, along to the Newcastle United 'Football In The Community' programme for the first time.  I was pleased to see that it was being run by one of our former scholars, Paul Dunn.  Paul is now 21 and when he left full-time football he went into Further Education and supplemented his income with coaching sessions.  This was only possible because he had his qualifications and it was nice to see him impart his knowledge onto the boys.

THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE THEN?

There are definitely more opportunities to gain employment in the coaching ranks now. The benefits of passing your coaching badges can be seen in many different guises.

WHAT OTHER NEW INITIATIVES HAVE THE COACHING DEPARTMENT IMPLEMENTED?

The PFA has linked up with the English Colleges FA to assist them in promoting the sport. The ECFA have an international team that competes in tournaments and also have training camps and development days for their players. We are just forging links at present and will be assisting them in any way we can. There are a lot of ex-footballers currently involved in running schemes at colleges.

ARE PLAYERS BETTER INFORMED THAN TEN YEARS AGO?

Both clubs and players are now more aware of what courses we provide and the importance of them.   Society in general is more aware of the need to be educated and we are certainly receiving more support from within clubs, the Football League, Premier League and the FA.  Everyone is working towards the same goal, which can only benefit the game.

IS THIS A QUIET TIME OF THE YEAR IN TERMS OF COACHING COURSES?

We don't have a quiet time of year!  There are still on-going regional courses for professional players at present.  We have been doing them regionally and they have either been on a weekly basis or in blocks of three or four days. They have taken place at Sheffield United's Academy base, the Cliff at Manchester United and in the South East at Edmonton.

AND YOU ARE BECOMING MORE FLEXIBLE IN ALLOWING PLAYERS TO ATTEND COURSES AREN'T YOU?


That's right.  We have run club-based courses at Newcastle United and Manchester United last year.  And we have discussed undertaking a similar scheme at clubs such as Everton, Stockport, Blackburn, Luton and Leicester this year.  There obviously has to be a lot of interest from the clubs to consider running a course but it makes sense.  You have access to that club's facilities and medical expertise. You also have access to young players who can be included in the sessions as the courses are strenuous.  We will always run our residential courses but there is a place for these in the calendar too.