The five-day course wraps up today and has gathered over 30 players, coaches and officials from many parts of the region for a series of theoretical and practical sessions.
The aim is to provide the participants with the skills to assist in the planning and development of future futsal activities in Tahiti, a country showing great promise in the indoor version of the world game after the Tiki Toa national team finished runners-up at the 2011 OFC Futsal Championship.
Jacky, on his first coaching visit to Tahiti in 12 years, is pleased with how the course has panned out and believes there is much scope for futsal to flourish further in the French territory.
“I am very impressed with the participants on the course – there is a great mix of skills and experience,” he says.
“Not only do we have a wide range of players and coaches present but also directors of the local futsal committees. This is great to see and is something I have not often seen in France.
“I am sure that after this course everyone can continue to build on the great work we are already seeing in futsal in Tahiti.”
Jacky has been assisted in running the course by Tahiti national coach Heitapu Hunter and Fédération Tahitienne de Football (FTF) staff David Raparii, James Perry, Ethel Taputu and Patrice Flaccadori, while OFC has been represented by futsal and beach soccer development officer Paul Toohey.
“The passion for and commitment to futsal shown by both the FTF and participants is very clear to see and Pierre’s knowledge of futsal and his delivery of the course is terrific,” Toohey says.
“FTF is looking at futsal with a long-term vision and this – combined with the hard work and dedication of the course participants and the many volunteers, coaches, referees and players already working in the game – will be of great benefit to the region, both on and off the court.”
The theoretical sessions of the course were held at the FTF Technical Centre in Papeete while the AS Dragon Indoor Sports Centre has played host to the on-court action.
The content has covered all aspects of the small-sided game, including the history of futsal, characteristics and methodology of coaching, technique, tactics, goalkeeping and the laws of the game.
“This course will have a great effect all over Tahiti,” Tiki Toa coach Hunter says.
“We have representatives from all our futsal committees here and many of them are working with the children in their communities. The challenge we now have is to be well organised and to utilise the knowledge that Pierre has passed on to build a great future for our young players.”

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