TCIFA hosts first FIFA Grassroots course and festival on Grand Turk
On May 18th-22nd, 2016, The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association hosted it’s first FIFA Grassroots Coaching Course and Festival on the island of Grand Turk. FIFA’s main objective of the Grassroots Programme is to allow football to be discovered by as many people as possible, attracting new players to the sport by giving them access to football in their own environment; whatever their age, sex, physical condition, skin color, religion or ethnic origin. Grassroots Football targets both girls and boys between the ages of 6-12years.
Lead by FIFA instructor, Marcos Tinoco, who also serves as FIFA Technical Development Officer for the North-West Caribbean, the purpose of the course was to encourage practices that are based on organizing fun football exercises to help children build a love for the game and to ensure that prospective coaching educators foster our children’s development in sporting, social, psychological and educational aspects. Twenty-four persons participated in the course.
The course involved three afternoon sessions, one full day, and one morning session of practical and theoretical work. Persons were assigned to demonstrate correct methods of coaching young children between the ages of 6-12, and the programme then concluded with the organization of a festival for the children. An outstanding 120+ 6-12 year olds were in attendance. Equipment was provided to both participating coaches and children.
“The participants worked very hard all week, with delivering presentations based on improving grassroots football, health benefits associated with playing, and promotion of the sport within the Grand Turk community. As Technical Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association, I was delighted with the way Grand Turk showed dedication and pure enthusiasm towards this course, and I’m even more happy to announce that we have 24 new coaching educators for the capital,” says Darren Meehan, newly appointed Technical Director.
Candia Ewing, General Secretary, also joined in the excitement. “While playing skills remain an important aspect in the development of our players, our main focus is to promote football, and get as many people as possible involved in the sport, regardless of their age. The Grassroots Football Programme gives us that opportunity to lay the necessary foundations required for us to nurture our very own Turks and Caicos Islands players, and coaches, all whilst having fun. I would like to commend, and thank Grand Turk for a job well done. They have exceeded our expectations, and I can truly say on behalf of our TCIFA President, Executive Members and all those involved in the TCIFA, Grand Turk has proven to be true supporters. We look forward to retaining our participants, and we are eager for all there is to come.”