SportWORKS - Making a Difference & Becoming Different

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The Sport Leaders Abroad Program
sends qualified and experienced Canadian
sport leaders (administrators, coaches, officials, etc.) to assist their counterparts in their fields/sports of expertise in countries around
the world.
 

Matt Greenwood

Leader Bio: Originally from Leicester, England, Matthew spent many years coaching and developing soccer in the UK. In 2007 he moved to Toronto, Canada to take a job with the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) where he began as a special projects coordinator. Matthew is now the Manager of Club Development for the OSA.

Placement Date: March 25-27, 2012

Placement Details: While in Barbados, Matthew worked closely with members of the Barbados Football Association who were receiving funding from FIFA to grow the game in their area. Together they identified two clear priorities to focus on; 1) A complete strategic plan is required to structure the game, and 2) A complete Technical Staff (paid or volunteer) to support the development of coaches, elite players, and competition. Matthew and members of the BFA agreed putting these tools in place would aid in stopping the circle of frustration and brightening BFA's negative image in the community. Additional areas of need that Matthew contributed to resolving include: improving the player registration process, improving the National Team Selection processes, holistic preparation of players for elite opportunities, and respect across the game - players, coaches, officials, team management 

Placement: 
Barbados Football Association and Bagatelle Football, Barbados
Hometown: 
Leicester, England
Education: 
University of Leicester, Masters in Science, Sociology of Sport & University of Worcester Bachelor of Science, Sports with Business Management
Groups have enthusiasm and a knowledge of the challenges they need to address. From a Sport Leader perspective this is easy to guide from a distance and plenty of support/best practice/feedback can be provided but it is essential that discussion happens, that groups are engaged and then next steps are laid down within the community. I feel that I have put the framework in place for the community to be successful in doing this moving forward.