Gavin Hunt advocates for growth of South African coaches

Hunt is among 25 coaches, alongside the likes of Eric Tinkler, Steve Barker, Godfrey Sapula, and Jabulani Mendu, currently engrossed in a CAF A licence course in Johannesburg. The 59-year-old, who holds the European equivalent – known as a UEFA A licence, is embracing the learning and up-skilling experience at his age.

"The more we can have more of these types of environments, these courses, it enhances everybody.  There are a lot of people I haven't met before here, which is fantastic. And now after a day or two we're talking like we've been buddies for years, that's what it's all about", said the SuperSport United coach.  

"The exchanging of ideas, as football is so wide and so big and I think there is so much you can discuss and there's always something we can learn from one another.  We've been here three days, we've still got a long way to go till next year June," Hunt continued. 

"But there's always something that comes up that if there's just one formula, then everybody would do that and win. 

"But there are different ways of doing things and for a guy, I'm talking personally, you can come away with certainly a lot of, and that's the whole reason we're here, I'm here. And if there are more situations like this, I'd certainly do more." 

Surrounded by up-and-coming professional coaches like Wesley Sergel – current Stellenbosch FC assistant, and Mamelodi Sundowns' U17 head coach Tiro van Rooyen, Hunt stresses that developing the next generation of coaches is an imperative step in progressing South African football.

"I'm at the wrong end of it. There's got to be a high level of intelligence, a high level of qualifications, a high level of implementing things. Everybody can copy off books and read, but can you implement it and forget about what's going on outside the same, and concentrate on the game itself, in training ways, in the methodology of training players? That's more important to me." 

Another advantage for the Matsatsantsa a Pitoli head coach is being able to return to the bench as his side begins their CAF Confederation Cup group campaign next weekend, after he was prohibited from doing so due to being underqualified.