Petite Nation
Posted on September 5, 2023 by Davide Buscemi
Jonathan Daoust, originally from Saint-André-Avellin, has just returned from Scotland where he took exams to apply for a very important coaching diploma. Along with its progress, FC Petite-Nation benefited from several visits from representatives of Atlético de Madrid, a major Spanish soccer club through its branch: Atlético Ottawa.
Two children from FC Petite-Nation with two coaches from Atlético de Madrid. (Photo courtesy)
Last year, Jonathan Daoust won the UEFA C License (Union of European Football Associationsthe supreme entity that manages European football-soccer).
In August, he was in Edinburgh (Scotland) to sit the exams for the UEFA B License. Besides his ambitions, he invokes other parameters. “The idea of going there was more to see another culture, because there is no perfect equivalence between the UEFA B License and what we do here in Canada”, explains Jonathan Daoust.
In Scotland, the journey took place in three phases: “theoretical phase 1 online last March; phase 2 with work to be done and training in the field at the end of June for 6 days; finally, phase 3, in August, with an evaluation on a session where you had to perform according to certain criteria that were still quite high, ”he summarizes.
Jonathan Daoust is awaiting the results of his exams before considering going further. “When you have UEFA B, it opens doors for you, you fall into the category of professional coaches, but I don’t know if that’s my goal. If I pass the B, I may take a more relaxed summer of 2024, because the A is of a higher level, ”confesses the one who works as an English teacher.
The conclusion of the evaluation will be to determine if the candidate presents rather a trainer profile with young people or a professional trainer. Mr. Daoust is thinking more of the first profile. “Working with young people is what turns me on,” he slips.
Jonathan Daoust in Scotland with representatives of the Glasgow Rangers club. (Photo courtesy)
Spain advises our athletes
With its expertise in the technical field and known for adopting a fast style of play, ball on the ground, in a few touches, Spain advises the Petite Nation. A collaboration that may surprise.
Indeed, the big club Atlético de Madrid has sent coaches three times to Petite Nation. “A year and a half ago, we signed a partnership with Atlético Ottawa, owned by Atlético de Madrid, which plays in the Canadian Premier League,” he explains.
Last winter, in the Papineauville gymnasium, during their penultimate visit, the two Atlético de Madrid coaches present were holders of a UEFA Pro license (the highest possible level of diploma in Europe for a coach) and a UEFA A licence, the second most important distinction. “It’s still extraordinary to have people of this caliber in the Petite Nation,” boasts Mr. Daoust.
Develop a soccer culture
Although he is delighted with the partnership between Ottawa and Madrid, Jonathan Daoust is proceeding in stages. “The objective is not to turn our young people into professionals, but to create, first of all, the best environment where they can progress, improve, fulfill themselves as citizens”, he declares.
Down to earth, the Avellinois keeps a sense of priorities: “we must develop a culture of soccer in Petite Nation. That’s the goal. I’ve been asked, why, Jo’, do you want to do this? I said it’s not to send players to Ottawa. We are not ready. For real, it’s starting to work. Young people progress. There’s a lot of talent out there.”
The entire workforce of FC Petite-Nation supervised by Jonathan Daoust and the Madrid coaches. (Photo courtesy)
The Spanish coaches will return soon. They appreciate the Outaouais enthusiasm. “They love coming to visit us. There is something special in Petite Nation. In Montreal or Ottawa, young people train a lot, but can seem more jaded. Here, the level may be lower, but the young people are enthusiastic,” he concludes.
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2023-09-05 21:40:15
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