EACDT Staff Training Workshop: Five Days of Learning, Reflection and Growth
At the East African Character Development Trust (EACDT), we believe that if we are going to help young people develop strong character, we must continually invest in the people who work with them.
From 24 to 28 August 2026, our coaches and programme team came together for a five-day staff training workshop designed to strengthen our understanding and delivery of Character Education, professional teaching, sport, safeguarding, and cricket coaching.
It was five days of learning, discussion, practical work and reflection—but most importantly, it was an opportunity for our team to look at how we can become better educators, coaches and role models for the young people we serve.
Day One: Understanding Character Education
The training began by returning to the foundations of Character Education.
The team explored what Character Education means, why it matters, and the importance of developing character intentionally, deliberately and systematically, rather than leaving it to chance.
A key principle explored during the training was the difference between character being “caught” and “taught.” While young people naturally learn from the people and environments around them, effective Character Education requires planned and deliberate efforts to help young people understand, practise and develop positive character qualities.
This provided an important foundation for the rest of the week.
Day Two: Strengthening Our Teaching
The second day focused on professional teaching and tutoring.
Our team reflected on how we plan and deliver sessions, communicate with learners, create effective learning environments and ensure that our activities are purposeful and engaging.
For EACDT, this is particularly important because our sessions are not simply about keeping young people active. Every session is an opportunity to learn, develop skills and reinforce positive character.
Day Three: Character Through Cricket
On Day Three, the focus moved onto one of the most important parts of our model: delivering Character Education through cricket and sport.
Sport provides young people with countless opportunities to demonstrate character in real situations. They experience teamwork, pressure, success, disappointment, responsibility, decision-making and competition, all within an environment where positive behaviour can be observed, discussed and reinforced.
Our coaches explored how to make these moments intentional, connecting what happens on the field with the character qualities we want our learners to develop.
As the training reminded us, cricket can teach patience, resilience, teamwork, responsibility, self-control and the ability to compete fairly.
The field is not just where we play. It is another classroom.
Day Four: Professional Practice and Safeguarding
Day Four focused on professional practice and safeguarding.
Working with young people comes with an important responsibility. Creating opportunities for development also means creating environments where young people feel safe, respected and supported.
The team reflected on their responsibilities as coaches, teachers and mentors and the importance of maintaining professional standards in everything we do.
This is an essential part of building a programme where young people can participate confidently and focus on learning, development and personal growth.
Day Five: Cricket Coaching, Assessment and Development
The final day brought together cricket coaching, assessment, player development and Physical & Health Education.
The sessions provided an opportunity for our coaches to strengthen their technical understanding while also considering how player development and character development can work together.
Our approach has always been about developing the whole young person. Sporting ability is important, but so too are the qualities that enable a young person to use their abilities positively, both on and off the field.
Taking the Learning Forward
While the five-day workshop has now come to an end, the real work begins when our team returns to the schools and community hubs.
The knowledge, discussions and practical learning from the week will be carried into our sessions with young people across the EACDT programme.
We know that character is developed through experience, and sport provides a powerful environment for young people to practise positive character repeatedly. Our training manual emphasises the importance of reinforcing positive behaviour, providing opportunities for practice, encouraging reflection, engaging others and continually observing and reviewing progress.
For us, professional development is therefore not a one-off activity. It is part of our commitment to continually improving how we serve our beneficiaries.
Investing in Those Who Invest in Young People
Five days of training may seem like a short period, but its impact can extend far beyond the workshop.
Every coach who returns to a school with new knowledge, every improved lesson, every better-planned cricket session and every intentional character conversation creates another opportunity for a young person to grow.
When we invest in our coaches, we invest in our young people.
We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the EACDT Staff Training Workshop and to our team for their commitment to learning, reflection and continuous improvement.
The journey continues.
Together, we are #ChangingLivesThroughSports.
