The future of grassroots football in the Solomon Islands is looking bright after a successful FIFA Grassroots Coaching Course was held in Honiara last week.
With assistance from the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), the course was led by FIFA Instructors Yvon Avry and Jim Selby and included around 30 coaches.
The objective of the course was to present participants with the philosophy and basic knowledge of the grassroots programme while encouraging SIFF to collaborate with Education administrators and key stakeholders to assist with the delivery of grassroots initiatives.
The course also aimed to encourage schools and communities to organize football ‘Festivals’.
Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has developed the ‘Just Play’ grassroots programme which Selby and Avry explained to course participants.
‘Just Play’ is an initiative that provides a structure to grow football participation levels among youth while promoting healthy habits and life-long physical activity through football.
The programme aims to provide the motivation and the equipment necessary for children to participate in an informal environment within a structured program on an ongoing basis.
Participants learned about ‘Just Play’ during theory sessions and discussed what obstacles they may face in implementing such a programme.
Avry and Selby also organised practical sessions during which the coaches ran small-sided games and tournaments involving up to 120 kids.
The outcomes of the course were very encouraging according to Selby and Avry, with SIFF showing a keen interest in supporting and developing the grassroots programme into the future.