Doc’s memory bank: He really blew my mind!

I will never forget the conversation I had with coach Gavin about my coaching career. As I am writing this, it feels like we had that conversation two days ago when it actually happened years ago. I bumped into coach Gavin at a restaurant and we started talking about the transition from playing to coaching. I told him about my wish to one day go to Europe and do the UEFA Licence once I was done with the SAFA coaching courses. Without hesitation, Gavin told me, “Go to the English FA, they offer the UEFA Licence and I’ve done it myself. It is a good course and I would really love to see you doing and obtaining that qualification.” He then went on to advise me on what to do, how to go about getting to the course and things to expect. I couldn’t believe it because he really blew my mind! This is someone I’ve never worked with, as we only played against each other, so for him to be so interested in helping me improve and enhance my coaching career was just out of this world. This takes me back to what I said about him developing youngsters because he developed me by giving me that information and I know I’m not the only young coach who has been helped and guided by him. I got that qualification and

I thank Gavin for it because his advice went a long way in helping me achieve my dream. This man really helped me and I am glad I didn’t let him down. After our conversation, my mind was made up about pursuing the course. I went straight to the Chairman, Dr Kaizer Motaung, to ask if it was possible for Kaizer Chiefs to please fund my studies, and he easily agreed to make it happen. I also have to thank Chiefs for their financial assistance and overall support. In one of my classes in England, guess who was my coaching instructor? The one and only Stuart Baxter! Ha, ha, ha, talk about a small world! At the time, I had no idea that I would become his assistant coach at Chiefs a few years down the line. I was in London for a whole month studying that course. I know people see rivalry on the field of play and think coaches and players are enemies, but people will be shocked to find out about the support we exchange behind the scenes. We are all professionals and get along very well, but when it is time to get the job done, nothing else is on our minds. I know this is going to shock a lot of people because they don’t expect me to get advice or assistance from someone like Gavin, but it happens all the time.