Name: Simson Paulus
Date of Birth: 07 October 1994
Place of Birth: Outapi
Position : Founder – Outapi Spitting Cobras Sports Club
Position: Boys Head Coach and Ladies Assistant Coach
Club: Outapi Spitting Cobras
You are currently the owner, a coach, a motivator, a financier of a football club how did all this start and why?
I was born at a small village called Omufitu Weelo outside Outapi, in the Omusati region, close to the border with Angola, but I grew up and went to Okavu combined school in the town of Outapi.
It was during this time that I was in school that my passion for sports started. My love for sports drove me from a very early age, and I even started coaching my fellow learners during my time at my combined school days. I loved sports so much that I would take responsibility to ensure that my class was well prepared during class tournaments and this led to me to taking the responsibility of being the school sport bulletin reporter, which gave me a better insight in to the world of sports and love for media.
You see, it was this passion, as I grew up, and after completing my secondary education that I enrolled for a Diploma in Public Relations and later on an Honors Degree in Media Studies at the University of Namibia, in Windhoek. Here I double majored in Electronic media and Sociology. The idea was that with a tertiary qualification, I would be able to go back and serve my community and give other young people a chance to enjoy and build their lives around sports. This could only be achieved if I secured employment, which could help in funding, this projects that I have dreamt about over the years, but it was not to be. I applied for employment all over the country, with no success. I ended up going back to my community in Outapi, to start with whatever I could lay my hands on. And that why I decided to focus on coaching in football because of my passion for sports.
But I have also realized that sports is big business and need to be managed if it’s to become successful, now I’m thinking of turning the tables and focusing and specializing on sport administration.
Being passionate about something is sometimes ignited by your relationship and your observation of individuals as you grow up, who are this people who you look up to?
(Smiling) You see growing up in the rural areas, some of us were fortunate to have individuals who were very dedicated and inspiring at school. One such person was our school soccer coach, Mr James Naboth. Mr Naboth has had a significant impact on my life, and through his guidance, I have come to learn the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. He instilled in me, something that cannot be measured, the experience I gained being around him has inspired me to pursue coaching as a career, allowing me to positively impact young athletes in the same way my coach did for me, I would always follow him for training even to an extend I would sneaking out of class just to go and observe and learn from him.
How did you end up, leading a women’s teams from the University of Namibia?
The almighty works in mysterious way, while I was studying at the University, I think I demonstrated some qualities that the sports department recognized as essential and appointed me as the head coach UNAM Bokkies, a football team, that was playing in the Women Super league of the Namibia Football Association, it was then I knew I had the qualities and I was heading the right direction if people or an institution such as UNAM can bestow trust me with the responsibilities for their team.
Maybe being appointed as Head Coach, was a milestone in your coaching career, but what would you consider as one of the proudest moments and what made it so special?
My proudest moment was when we finished the season above some already well-established teams with experienced coaches and also, being the person behind one of the few teams to have concede the least number of goals against, then the most dangerous Women team in the country, Tura Magic Ladies FC (Now FC Ongos Ladies), which comprised the bulk of the national team players.
As this made it even sweeter because of the way I started off, in putting together the UNAM team. It was not an easy task, to get ladies, who were interested in playing football. It was a slow by slow ladies started showing up and we started training and playing friendly matches and finally we had a team because by then even the some senior players in the likes of Stacey Naris, Diina Shituula, Limba Mupetami and Esther Hamukwaya came to join the team.
Although we did not win the league, it was for me important that we had a group of players who could hold it together against other teams in the Women Super league.
Having being thrown into the deep end, by the UNAM Sport Department, must not have been the most difficult part for you I believe, what can you say was?
Being a coach, in the Namibian football environment is not easy. As a coach you are faced with so many issues that are outside your jurisdiction, but you have to find a way to deal or resolve them. As a Head coach at a tertiary institution, one of the biggest challenges that I can remember that I faced as a coach was when our team was struggling with internal conflicts and low morale.
I had to take it upon myself to address the situation as it was affecting the performance on the field. I initiated a series of team-building exercises and individual meetings to encourage open communication and strengthen relationships. By fostering a collaborative environment and addressing the issues head-on, our team was able to regain trust and unity.
If you find yourself in a corner in any situation, how do you deal with it?
Very simple for me, you seek council from with those who have been there before you. In my case I seek advice from my seniors.
So let say you talk to the elders and they give you advice, how do you get to bounce back?
I have learnt to accept the past and focus on the present and look forward to the future. I believe we learn from our setbacks for a better future. When handling conflicts among team members, I first establish clear expectations for behavior and communication, if a disagreement come up, I address it promptly by facilitating a discussion between the involved people, guiding team members towards finding common ground and resolution. I aim to minimize conflicts and create a harmonious team
What’s important between sports and your chosen career path?
So far my focus is on my sport career since I didn’t get a job yet from my academic side.
What kind of support system, if any, has been instrumental in your success?
My support system has always been people around me, the athletes I work with, my staff members, friends and people in my community who always see what I do on daily basis, some parents even call me to just appreciate what I do for their kids and inform of the difference I’m making in their kids lifestyles
The support I receive from my colleagues and the community in general, and the difference I make in my players lifestyles.
Apart from people who support you, where do you get your inspirations?
Like I said earlier, Mr James Naboth, my friend Asante Katiti and Childhood friend Shetunyenga Jerobeam kept motivating me, then Jacky Shipanga and Ronny Kanalelo, those two helped me become a better coach that I’m today, they made me understand all the aspect of coaching.
Please share your typical daily routine if you have any?
As a coach, you must have a plan, so for me when am creating a training plan, I consider factors such as each players strengths and weaknesses, the team’s overall goals, and the competitive schedule. I strive to find a balance between individual and team development, incorporating both short-term objectives and long-term goals. For individual players, I work with them to set specific, measurable targets, while also ensuring the team remains unified and focused on collective success.
What aspects of the sport do you enjoy the most?
The Unity it brings among people, sport unifies people, and it creates connections and a lot people out to makes friends.
What is it that you don’t like in sports?
I do not like it when individuals because of their personel interest, start engaging around sports and politics. I hate that part of sport and I don’t enjoy, I try to avoid associating such characters.
As a coach I do not like dealing with indiscipline players or member, it’s bit challenging and takes up a lot Of time.
How do you stay passionate and engaged in your work, even during tough times?
I do this for the love I have for it, so I try to simplify everything and that works for me .
Has your involvement in sports affected your life?
Definitely, It has helped me become a better public speaker, helped me to be able to solve different situations without negatively affecting anyone, it created many connections between me and some high people .
Any specific sport achievements that you are particularly proud of?
Ohh Yes, it might be regarded as small achievement in some peoples view, but for me this is huge. Infact being one of the founding members for the Omusati Women football league, and on top of that being the founder of Outapi Spitting cobras. I also regard myself as a succesfful coach, as I have been able to produce a player that can represent the country at the national level, am talking of Linda Kupololo, who is currently part of the ladies under 20 team.So you have had success, what the way forward for Coach Simon?
My aims is to be in a position to have a well established football club, establssih a specific philosophy and culture that reflects the community that I come from. I would love to be in position to make a positive contribution to my community, and especially help young people achieve their sport goals and also help them achieve great things in their livelihoods.
How do you want to be remembered?
All I want is to do good, help my community and country, achieve great things, things I will be remembered for.
Any wise words for others?
Be humble, know and focus on what you want to achieve and don’t let anyone discourage you.
Looking back, what would you say has been the most valuable experience or lesson that you’ve gained from your journey so far?
I believe over the years, I have come across different people and situations, and this has molded me into the person I am today. I can say, I now know how to handle different situations, how to handle people with different personalities and I have learned to focus on assisting people we work with in their daily lives and not just use them when we need them to play for us.
If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently in your career or life path.
I would attend more coaching and administration courses
