Inspired by wanting to implement change in coaching in Cameroon, Legend Academy Coach Etoh Anzah Kingsley Etoh dedicated his life to coaching the youth in football.
“What motivated me the most is the things I saw coaches doing back then which actually was not helping in building a future out of football [for] the youth,” Etoh said. He says working with children has been life-changing for him, “Working with children is a blessing. You get to know a lot about what is happening around you.”
Speaking of working with young girls in Cameroon, he says it can be difficult, as most parents still believe girls should focus on domestic work: “Working with girls in the South West Region is very challenging since most parents believe their girl should be beside them to help in the kitchen.”
But he believes that coaches that work with young girls are implementing a major impact in African women’s football without even knowing it. “Coaches working with young girls should count themselves lucky since they are building an empire without knowing. I’m looking forward to a day a child will say, ‘because of you, Coach Kingsley, I did not give up.’”
“That is when I will know at least my impact was felt,” he added.
Kingsley believes that the Petrichor style of training and playing can have a special impact on youth players in Cameroon. “The Petrichor model of coaching is unique and the developmental phases and follow-up is one key component which inspired me to believe in them.”
Coach Kingsley manages Legend Academy in Kumba, a club that has seen success locally for both its girls and boys teams. Legend Academy squads have competed at the Division 2 level as well as in the South West Regional League. They continue to expand and improve, also sometimes traveling to Yaoundé for tournaments against other Petrichor clubs. The future is bright for Coach Kingsley and Legends Academy.
Words by Nozibusiso Sibiya and John Lewis, with quotes from Kingsley Etoh. Yaoundé, 2022.