The course is being run by UEFA technical instructor Steve Rutter, who is also coach education manager at the English Football Association, with OFC head of coach education Didier Chambaron and will see candidates from nine of the 11 OFC member associations participating.
As there is much material to cover, the course will run for 16 days and was officially opened this morning by New Zealand Football chairman and OFC Executive Committee member Frank van Hattum.
OFC technical director Patrick Jacquemet says the training of coaches and technical directors in Oceania is a priority and in line with FIFA’s aim of continuous up-skilling.
“In just two years, we have made significant advancements with the licencing system and during that time we have focused on the C and D Licences, which cater more to a community level,” Jacquemet says.
“The B Licence is an important step in the careers of these technical directors and coaches because they are starting to encounter football of a high level and need to be equipped to continue building players’ technical development.”
The requirements for participants include being part of the technical department of a federation – and thus having the support of the federation to take part – in addition to holding the C Licence with an advanced pass.
This translates to each of OFC’s member associations being represented by at least two participants at this month’s course, with the exception of Tahiti, New Caledonia and New Zealand which have their own training courses – although New Zealand Football women’s development manager Emma Humphries will be taking part.
The course will run from December 1 to 16, which represents over 120 hours of practical and theoretical education and assessment aimed at coaching elite players from 13 to 17-years-old, as well as senior coaching.
“It will be intense for everyone involved,” Jacquemet says.
“This is an opportunity for participants to progress to the next level and what we expect to happen is for them to continue on to become the future technical leaders in their respective countries.
“It is an investment for OFC in its members and we expect a lot from the participants. We expect a lot of professionalism, involvement and especially a return on the field with better organisation in place and programmes in each federation.”
Based on extensive research, OFC’s coaching accreditation scheme outlines the necessary requirements for coaches to progress from a D Licence to an A Licence and covers all levels of the game including grassroots, youth and senior football.
The scheme has been developed by the OFC Technical Department and is based on those used by confederations in other parts of the world but with a unique Oceania flavour.

Share