Jacquemet was assisted by Fiji U-20 head coach Ravinesh Kumar and Fiji FA referee instructor Mohammed Kazim Yasin in leading 23 youth team coaches from around the country.
All the participants are involved in youth football and have demonstrated an ability to coach players at youth level.
“The course was successful in building the foundation of coaching methodologies and player understanding, which was in line with the aims,” Jacquemet said.
“Lots of coaches had trouble structuring a training session and with that in mind, we taught them different methods that they will have to adapt to their own football environment,” he expanded.
Participants were provided with the opportunity to design part or full sessions to deliver with players in both the morning and afternoon during the week-long course.
“There is no doubt this hands-on approach provides a very good learning opportunity for the participants and the improvement was very impressive,” Jacquemet said.
The course not only covers the practical and theoretical aspects of planning and running youth coaching sessions, but it also outlines the importance of identifying players’ characteristics and needs.
Given youth are still developing, coaches need to take into account physical and social aspects as well as the learning and thinking process, and adjust their approach accordingly.
One example provided is physical, where speed, agility and coordination in youth are developing rapidly. The coach should recognise the physiological stage of development and act accordingly by paying attention to warm up routines, hydration and nutrition.
Following their assessments, the majority of coaches will receive their OFC D Licence Part 2. Several of them have also been identified to integrate into future Fiji FA technical programmes such as Development Centres or Centres of Excellence.
Feedback from all 23 participants was positive with all of them stating they had improved their general knowledge of the game and youth coaching methods.
The course was fully supported by the Fiji FA President Rajesh Kumar, the executive committee and staff. Fiji FA Vice-President Taranesh Reddy and Fiji FA National Director Juan Carlos Buzzetti both made supporting visits.
For more on Fiji football go to www.fijifootball.com.fj

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