The AFC commits to enhancing coaching standards

Avatar
AFC
Image via Shutterstock

The Technical Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has emphasised its dedication to elevate the continent’s coaches, after it accepted multiple improvements and new demands at a recent meeting held virtually.

The committee, led by Chairperson Kohzo Tashima before the launch of the AFC Women’s Champions League in 2024, had underlined the significance of setting up an attainable requirement for coaching for the key positions of the clubs that are involved.

Head coaches involved with the participating clubs in the 2024 edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League must acquire an AFC A Diploma, along with the Assistant coaches who are also required to obtain an AFC B Diploma.

Another compulsory essential for coaches is that of the goalkeeping and fitness areas, with an AFC Goalkeeping B Diploma is a must have, while for the latter will be required to have an AFC Fitness Level 1 Diploma.

Committee Members were also made aware of the essential requirements to warrant to increasing the standards in the quality of coaches and discussing the idea of elevating the demands in 2028.

The Committee had accepted and agreed to amend the current coaching requirements, considering AFC goalkeeper coaching courses had been consolidated to the AFC coaching convention Regulations in 2021 as AFC Goalkeeping A and AFC Goalkeeping B Diploma courses.

For both of the diplomas in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2024 and AFC Goalkeeping A and B, the parties had also seen eye to eye that officials who couldn’t meet the required coaching demands should apply for recognition of their coaching abilities as per the AFC Regulations Governing the Recognition of Experience and Current Competence.

Members had also come into accord about the Disputed Goals and Player of the Match principles in addition the 2023 AFC Specialised Coaching Courses for the Member Associations (MA), which have not been amalgamated into the AFC Coaching Convention.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Manchester City Begins Work on New Women’s Training Facility

Avatar
Image Credit: Manchester City website

Manchester City is in the development stage of building the Manchester City Women’s team a new purpose-built training facility at the City Football Academy, known as the club’s training centre.

The project, valued at up to $20.5 million, is set to open next season and marks the latest chapter in the club’s ongoing investment in top-tier facilities for the team.

Once completed, the facility will include a hydrotherapy area, a high-performance gym, and a circular dressing room designed to enhance player development.

In addition to their purpose-built facility, the Women’s First Team will continue to benefit from being an integral part of the $409 million City Football Academy, allowing them to utilise the organisation’s extensive resources and expertise.

To mark the beginning of construction, club captain Alex Greenwood was joined by Managing Director Charlotte O’Neill, Director of Football Therese Sjögran, and Director of Performance Services Emma Deakin for the official groundbreaking ceremony.

Club Captain Alex Greenwood reflects on the current facilities at the club and her excitement for the new development that is on the rise.

“Right from the start we’ve been involved quite a lot so we could discuss what’s going to be in there and what’s necessary. From what I know the facilities are going to be the best, which is nothing short of what I expect. I’m excited to see how it’s going to look,” she said via press release.

The facility has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of the team, with extensive consultation undertaken during the planning phase, including input from First Team Multi-Disciplinary experts and members of the playing squad.

The 17,000-square-foot building has also been designed with future expansion in mind as the team continues to grow.

Managing Director at Manchester City Women Charlotte O’Neill commented on the new facility and the beginning of its construction.

“Over the past decade, the team has benefited from being a part of the high-performance environment here, working with some of the very coaches, practitioners and support staff, as well as accessing some of the best facilities,” she said via press release.

“But the time feels right for the team to move into our own purpose-built home, and we think we’ve designed something really special that will help us in our efforts to consistently challenge for major titles.”

The new facility reaffirms Manchester City’s commitment to women’s football, aiming for success and growth through providing an environment to support the team’s future ambitions.

AFC Youth Panel discusses future of player development in Asia

Avatar
Image Credit: AFC

Representatives of the Asian Football Confederation met online on Thursday for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Youth Panel. Through the virtual event, Member Association’s (MAs) shared their experiences of their youth systems for the 2024-25 term.

The panel was hosted with a key focus on identifying how to improve the developmental programmes of the 16–19-year-old age group. The meeting discussed ways to not just improve technical skill but also strengthen the mental resilience of players and increase the number of competitive matches they are playing.

 AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh explained why the confederation was focusing on the 16-19 age group.
“This age group is a formative stage where we are dealing with players in national youth teams and it’s a crucial stepping stone for talented youngsters who are at the threshold of pursuing the sport professionally,” he said via press release.
“We must be able to help them master techniques under pressure and develop a winning mentality, so it is imperative to provide them with expert guidance.”
Through the panel representatives also explored conversations on the need to properly prepare coaches for training developing professional youth by providing them with the skills and knowledge required to excel.
Additionally, the meeting presented updates on several high-profile AFC developmental programmes for participants. In particular, the panel highlighted the Triple-A Project, a programme designed to provide tailored support to MAs via continual summits, and the AFC’s ongoing research partnership with the University of Tsukuba, which aims to study elite youth systems across Asia.
To finalise the session, participants were informed of the AFC’s other technical programmes, especially the recent publication of the AFC Elite Youth Bulletin. The Bulletin presents a major step forward for youth development within the Confederation, as it stands as a handbook for MAs to use, highlighting the best initiatives and programmes other MAs across Asia have used to great effect.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend