FIFA’s signature ‘Developing football everywhere’, promoted during the FIFA World Cup™, materialised when at the beginning of July the first ever FIFA Grassroots Course was held in the islands of Vauva’u in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Led by FIFA Instructor Simon Toselli, Tonga Football Association Technical Director Kilifi Uele and Development Officer Manatu Liavala’a, the course was attended by 19 participants, involved at grassroots level from local clubs, communities and schools.
‘’A coaching course is a starting point, and the follow up will be key for players and coaches. We want to bring as many people as we can for football development,’’ explain Simon Toselli.
The course was also the opportunity to identify the coaches who could be involved into the Centre of Development, dedicated for the 9-12 year-old, and to set up an U-12 championship.
‘’The objective is to start a Centre of Development program to offer kids playing opportunities. We also hope to start competition for Grassroots U-12 age category a near future. We would then be able to follow up players and coaches in their environment,” Toselli says.
The course was focused on long term player development, nurturing a football environment, approaches to coaching and most of all mentoring children.
‘’Environment is key to develop players. We have to offer playing opportunities and quality of training at this age. The essential elements of grassroots football are relationships, confidence on the ball and learning through play while being guided by a coach,” Toselli says.
Toselli insists on key points coaches need to follow to deliver their sessions to young players.
‘’Coaches should be dynamic, passionate and motivational. They should always know and respect the children’s physical, physiological and psychological characteristics to offer a suitable training session.’’
Toselli was delighted the Grassroots Festival attracted 80 participants who clearly enjoyed the experience.
‘I would like to congratulate all the participants and coaches’. The festival has been a real success. It was good to see many kids from Vauva’u having fun,’’ Toselli says.
The course was held in the Vauva’u Chanel College which provided excellent facilities for the theory and practical sessions.
For more on Tonga football www.tongafootball.to

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