AIPS ASIA News:

The 5th AFC Coach Education Conference successfully concluded on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, further underlining the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s resolve to ensure the success of Asian teams on the global stage. 

The three-day conference was marked by a series of insightful lectures covering a range of topics integral to the advancement of coach education programmes across the Confederation’s Member Associations (MAs).

Held under the theme “Shaping the Future of Coach Education”, proceedings kicked off on Tuesday with AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh’s keynote address on “Tomorrow’s Coaches”, which opened the floor to a lively discussion among the participants.

The second day commenced with an in-depth presentation on the membership requirements of the UEFA Coaching Convention, covering aspects such as organising national courses and increasing the percentage of female tutors in the MAs’ coach education landscape.

The session paved the way for participants to engage in spirited conversations around the specific needs of their respective MAs, as well as the importance of reality-based learning, different styles of leadership, and adapting to technological advancements.

Among the many highlights of the event was a panel discussion on the “Emotions in Football” project, featuring Qatar Football Association (QFA)’s Fahad Abdullah Al Zarraa, Aspire Academy’s Maria Ruiz de Ona, AFC Grassroots and Youth Football Development Consultant Robin Russell, and Education 4 Peace Foundation Founder Mark Milton, which highlighted the importance of prosocial responsibility in football.

“It’s been a fantastic few days, and all the information we have received has been first-class. We’ve got an opportunity to share our collective knowledge, which has clearly demonstrated what we’re all trying to achieve together,” said Hasney Aljofree, Head of Coach Education & Development at the Football Association of Singapore.

“Having been a player and now on the other side of the table, the conference is aiding me in my role as an educator as the modern game of football asks a lot more of players, especially with the advent of social media and constantly being under the spotlight,” the former Bolton Wanderers centre-back added. 

In another engaging session, “Talking Points”, participants received insights into the key learnings from the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025, the AFC Champions League Elite™, and the AFC Women’s Champions League™, ranging from tactical trends displayed by the participating teams to standout individual performances.

Additionally, the conference proved to be an excellent opportunity for tutors in attendance to receive the latest updates on the AFC–Japan Football Association Women’s Pro Diploma Course, which is set to embark on its final module.

The final day featured presentations by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Technical Director Nasser Larguet, and the Football Association of Ireland Head of Coach Education Niall O’Regan, who shared insights into the coach education programmes in their respective MAs, sparking another round of lively exchanges among the delegates.

“The AFC Coach Education Conference has not only enabled us to exchange ideas but also hear of success stories which undeniably motivate MAs in improving their existing programmes,” said Faye Chambers, Coach Education Instructor at Football Australia. 

“Moreover, a lot of work is being done to empower more women coach educators through exclusive courses, and the impact can clearly be seen, as over the years, more and more women are taking up leadership roles in football, which is a clear indication of the progress being made on the Continent.”

Courtesy AFC