FIFA, CONCACAF host Grassroots seminar

This training seminar for instructors marks the launch of a new FIFA development scheme entitled the Grassroots programme, which aims at promoting football among six to 12-year-olds and is based on an innovative new vision.

For over three decades now, FIFA has been proposing and implementing development programmes for its member associations, designed to further the game at a national and international level.

Education and training for those involved in the game has always been the key focus of the various programmes, particularly via the FUTURO courses which are now into their third generation. However, training programmes like these are aimed more at the world’s elite, with a view to providing better coaches, young players, referees and clubs.

With the Grassroots programme, FIFA has a different target audience in mind and on a totally different scale. The target, as its name suggests, is football among its youngest players, six to 12-year-olds throughout the world who are discovering and learning about the game.

The Grassroots programme is designed to help member associations, in conjunction with their respective governments, provide football coaching for children based on their school situation and their specific circumstances, encourage them to play the game on a regular basis and to get as much enjoyment from it as possible.

Football is a sport embedded with strong educational and social values, which are an ideal complement to a child’s education.

The philosophy, training methods and teaching material used in the programme were presented to some 20 technical directors from around the CONCACAF region who came to Macoya for the Grassroots seminar for instructors.

The theory behind the programme involves a Grassroots festival today featuring 100 kids, enabling the instructors who were present to familiarise themselves with how to organise a Grassroots festival. This included workshops and smaller-sided matches, one of the most important elements of the programme.

At Monday’s opening of the seminar, the instructors were constantly exchanging ideas, impressions and questions about the programme, while all of them shared an infectious enthusiasm for Grassroots.

“We’re getting back to basics. What you learn at that age stays with you for the rest of your life,” said Colin Johnson, an instructor from Anguilla.

Even in Federations where football amongst youngsters are already well developed, the Grassroots programme will bring about change.

“The important thing with grassroots football is to give the game over to the kids. This FIFA programme is going to contribute a lot to football. We need to take away the idea of performance as far as kids are concerned and let them get back to enjoying the game,” commented Daryll Warner, FIFA Development Officer.

“It’s an enormous challenge, but the programme is an essential one, particularly for women’s football,” said Jamaal Shabbaz, coach of the Trinidad and Tobago women’s team, before going on to underline the important social implications of the programme. “The earlier we get girls integrated into football, the more success they will have. Boys will have to start appreciating their qualities and getting used to girls playing football. Grassroots will make the world a healthier place as well.

“Football keeps you fit and Grassroots will do that the world over,” noted Newton George, assistant FIFA Development Officer, FIFA

All the participants came away with the feeling of belonging to a crucial mission whose benefits go way beyond a mere football programme. “Grassroots is not just about football, it’s about helping kids grow up,” concluded Warner.

Pilot projects have already been carried out by football associations in China, Tahiti, Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago with a great deal of success.

They also highlighted that fact that FIFA Grassroots instructors have to adapt their coaching to fit the country they are in, and that since it puts a smile back on kids’ faces when they are playing, the Grassroots programme is perhaps the most important contribution that FIFA can make to the development of football.