Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuala Lumpur: AFC Goalkeeping Coaching Instructors hailed the creation of a minimum qualification for goalkeeping coaches from 2017 onwards saying it reflects the need for higher standards in coaching.
Goalkeeping coaches must have a minimum qualification of the AFC Goalkeeping Level 1 Coaching Certificate if they want to coach a team in AFC competitions starting from the year 2017.
The introduction of this minimum standard for the goalkeeping coach is in tandem with that of the head coaches whose minimum requirement should also be raised to the AFC ‘A’ Football Coaching Certificate or the AFC Professional Coaching Diploma depending on the type of AFC competition.
Yoshio Kato of Japan and Haroon Amur Hamed Al Bartamani from Oman were among 13 participants of an AFC Goalkeeping Coaching Instructors’ Workshop in the Malaysian capital which closed on Thursday.
The course covered a mixture of technical and non-technical topics to enrich the participants’ knowledge and skills necessary to produce top goalkeeping coaches in the continent.
“The must-have Level 1 certificate would increase the standard in goalkeeping coaching and goalkeeping in Asia,” Kato told The-AFC.com. “I fully agree with this new requirement so that the quality of goalkeeping is ensured and that goalkeepers receive good coaching from properly credentialed coaches.
“The goalkeepers are no different from the other players of the field who are also coached by properly qualified coaches. I think this development bodes well with the direction Asian football is going.”
Al Bartamani echoed his colleague sentiments, saying: “This is a good move and development for goalkeeping in Asia. I’m sure this new minimum requirement for goalkeeping coaches will have a positive effect because it would make sure only coaches with proven abilities can coach goalkeepers.
“With passion and dedication, I’m sure the Level 1 minimum requirement should not be a concern for the goalkeeping coaches. They should see this as a step-up in the development of their capability and qualification.
"In fact, I think the AFC should someday create a higher qualification, for example, a Pro Diploma for the goalkeeping coaches, just like the existing Pro Diploma for the head coaches.”
The course attended by Kato and Al Bartamani was delivered by Keith Granger from FA England, who concluded the course by giving some points to ponder for the instructors.
“You have to be able to motivate the goalkeeping coaches you’re instructing by considering everyone as unique and different. You also have to be ahead of the trends in the game. The game is constantly changing, so you have to ask yourself ‘am I changing?’
“Coaching is basically making the players better. So you need to make your coaches think how to transfer the knowledge so that the knowledge is owned by them.”