FLAVIO LOPES

sports@herald-goa.com

MAPUSA: Grassroots hold the key in football and the coaches need to involve kids at under-10 or under-12 level and provide  more exposure and touches with the ball, so that they are more comfortable and enjoy the game in its true spirit which is one of the most important factors, remarked coach Norman Broadman.

Boardman, National Community Coach Education Manager with Football Federation of Australia, conducted a two-day junior football licence programme of FFA for Goan coaches organized under the Australian Sports Outreach Programme partnered by Goa Football Association on November 16 and 17 at Don Bosco ground, here.

The first day of the course involved freshers, whereas on Saturday, 32 experienced coaches from Goa took part in the day long proceedings. “The response from the participants was excellent. They are very keen to learn new techniques,” said Broadman.

The objective of the programme is to encourage the grassroots training in Goa  so as to provide ample training. The coaches were told by Boardman to involve more ball-related drills with the kids, so that they learn to deal with match situations more cleverly.

One of the participants, Celvin Fernandes, a SAG regular football coach observed: “We were lucky to have Broadman as he shared his vast knowledge with Goan coaches. His training stresses on small sided games and match learning situations. He has also helped us to know the importance of dynamic warming up. Now it’s up to us to implement his teachings.”

On being asked on the reason for Indian football team’s low FIFA ranking, Broadman felt that the team should adapt new techniques and the AIFF should stress more on grassroots programmes.

The GFA has already set up 14 youth development centres in Navelim, Ambelim, Mandrem, Siolim, Tivim, Anjuna, Calangute, Bicholim, Ponda, Canacona-Maxem, Cortalim, Navelim, Benaulim and Curchorem, some of which have started their programmes only recently.

This is the Australian’s fourth visit to Goa.