Wheaton College Assistant Men's Soccer Coach Carl Griffiths recently returned from Kampala, Uganda, where he followed-up Wheaton Head Coach Dr. Michael Giuliano's work with International Sport Connection. The mission of both trips was to educate soccer coaches and help them transition from a narrow focus on talent development and strategy implementation, to a more comprehensive vision of coaching. This comprehensive vision promotes personal growth, appreciation of others, and community development and was shared with male and female coaches from all over the country of Uganda.

Last summer, Coach Giuliano taught seminars on effective communication and conflict resolution while this summer Assistant Coach Griffiths covered the same topics as well as providing on-field instruction. The International Sport Connection program included the United States Soccer Federation “E” license as well as classroom presentations on leadership, mentorship, sports medicine, conflict resolution, communication and management.

With support from the U.S. State Department's Sports United Division, Griffiths and companions were able to carry over 1,000 pounds of equipment to Uganda. They brought uniforms, cones, clipboards, pumps, whistles and soccer balls for each coach participating in the educational program.

When asked about his experience, Griffiths said, “The Ugandan people's passion and desire to learn about football [soccer] was extremely evident during my time there. It was a great opportunity to share, teach, listen and learn from one another and gave me a greater understanding of the specific challenges they face in building a strong developmental football program that reaches every corner and district within their beautiful country.”

The International Sport Connection Football Coach Training/Exchange Program was made aided by assistance from the SportsUnited Division of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.