OFC Futsal and Beach Soccer Development Officer Paul Toohey delivered the ‘hybrid’ on behalf of FIFA and says it was encouraging to see the two games embraced.
“For almost all of the participants, it was their first experience of both games,” he explains.
“The course was five days – three of futsal and two of beach soccer. We spent a bit longer on futsal last week because of the vital role we see it playing throughout Oceania, through the creation of new leagues, and introduction into the Grassroots Programmes, Development Centres and Centres of Excellence.
Futsal is steadily being integrated as a key part of player development in all 11 OFC Member Associations and Toohey says the Tonga Football Association is no exception.
“The coaches adapted very quickly and I think particularly enjoyed the opportunity to play futsal for the first time. As players, they adapted to the demands of the game quickly and as coaches, they presented some very well-thought out practical exercises. That’s one of the beauties of futsal, it’s a game that people rapidly start to grow in confidence in.”
“One of the most important outcomes from the course was the formation of the futsal and beach soccer standing committee. A big focus for the week had been making sure that there was a mechanism for delivering on TFA’s Futsal and Beach Soccer Development Plans. Now we have that in place, the standing committee’s role is to put the plans into action, through a range of activities including leagues and further coach education in both forms of the game.
The plan also includes the construction of a futsal court at the TFA Technical Centre, a FIFA Goal Project IV, securing the future of futsal in the nation. Construction on the new court is due to commence next week, with completion estimated for early August 2014.
And while introducing beach soccer presents a few challenges, Toohey says it’s a game that could be perfect for parts of Tonga. Meanwhile, the new Futsal & Beach Soccer Committee will begin with a pilot project, overseeing a tournament in Ha’apai, one of Tonga’s outer islands.
“Ha’apai experienced some devastation, the hurricane, earlier this year which has meant the a temporary halt to 11-a-side football. The discussion with TFA and representatives from Ha’apai has been whether beach soccer, in the interim, could be a practical way to get everyone up and running again. It seems a practical solution and I’m ready to support in whatever way I can” Toohey explains.
Toohey is delighted with how the course went, but says the success can only be measured by future activities.
“I was really encouraged by the commitment of the participants and their passion for the game. The success of any course is always determined by what follows afterwards and I’m confident this group has the necessary dedication to really develop both forms of the game,” he enthuses.
TFA Technical Director Kilif Uelele was equally enthusiastic about the impact the course will have in Tonga.
“The course was a successful one, with both new forms of football introduced. The Tonga Football Association and the participants are interested and very motivated to take these game to our players players” he said.
The FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Coaching Course was held at the TFA Football Centre in Tonga from 12-16 May.

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