Angela DeSilva Earns Hockey Coach Certificate
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Angela DeSilva, a former Bermuda hockey goalkeeper, is looking to help grow the sport on the island after gaining her latest coaching certification.
DeSilva has become the first Bermudian coach to achieve the FIH Level 2 certificate – a 34-hour practical course supported by an online theatrical course, focusing on coaching theory, coaching teams, hockey athletes, technical skills for players and technical skills for goalkeepers.
DeSilva, who has already gained her FIH Level 1 coaching and FIH Level 1 Umpiring certificates, told Bernews: “I wanted to achieve this qualification, gain this knowledge so I can give back to hockey in Bermuda.
“Hockey has shrunk on the island, and I want to help get it back to being as amazing as it once was. Hopefully, we can encourage more youngsters to come out and get involved.”
DeSilva, a former Swifts and Budgies player, also coaches at the FunStix Junior Programme at the National Sports Centre on Saturday mornings.
The 33-year-old said she hopes to get involved in coaching the national under-20 programme in the future.
“Initially, my idea was to become a goalkeeper coach, as there wasn’t much specific goalkeeper coaching when I played. You could feel quite isolated,” said DeSilva, who plans to take her Level 3 badge.
“However, as I delved deeper into coaching, I realised I could do more than just goalkeeper coaching.”
