Canadian Soccer: FIFA Grassroots Course At The Soccer Centre In Vaughan, June 12-15, 2013

Click above to play the FIFA Grassroots Course Video Success can be measured in many ways. In the world of a young soccer player, the wider and brighter the smile, the more fun they had. If smiles were the measure of success, then the FIFA Grassroots Soccer Festival on Saturday June 15th 2013 was a huge success.     300 youngsters from neighbouring Clubs and schools were on hand for the special event, and there were 300 smiles on the players’ young, fresh faces.  The 30 coaches invited from across the province to take part in the event were smiling too, as they led their young players through a variety of specially designed technical activities and small-sided games.   The four-day (June 12-15) FIFA Grassroots course was designed to adjust the coaches’ mindset from a team-based approach to practice and playing to more of an individual approach to training. Going forward in Ontario, the focus will be on ensuring that each and every child gets the same opportunities to better coaching, better facilities and playing with and against players at differing developmental stages and both genders.     Experienced, qualified and knowledgeable Master Coaches will lead the practice with assistant coaches at each of the skill stations or small-sided games, ensuring that knowledge transfer and support will constantly take place during the group practice. This process ensures that coach development is happening alongside player development.   During the week the coaches worked in small groups designing and organizing practice events and games for larger groups of players than they would normally work with in their own Clubs and districts. This challenged their ability to plan, organize and communicate. Saturday’s event proved that the planning and organizing was successful—as the smiles proved!   Plans are currently being developed to implement grassroots programs across the province that reflect the principles on display at the FIFA conference. We look forward to all the coaches who were on hand sharing what they learned when they return to their districts and Clubs.   Alex Chiet Chief Technical Officer

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