For the first time the two small-sided disciplines will be combined into one course, which is an important step for the region, according to OFC Futsal and Beach Soccer Development Officer Paul Toohey, who will deliver the ‘hybrid’ course on behalf of FIFA.
“Tonga Football Federation Technical Director Kilifi Uele attended the FIFA Beach Soccer Seminar in Tahiti last year, and they’re also ready to make a start in futsal,” he explains.
“Because Tonga is really at the beginning of developing both forms of the game, FIFA felt this was a practical way to deliver the course. We will have three days of futsal and two days of beach soccer which means we can make a start at developing TFA’s programme in both disciplines.”
Just last year Toohey was delivering the first OFC Futsal Development Course in Samoa, which is essentially a first introduction to the game.
While futsal in Tonga remains in its infancy, he says the FIFA course will vary from the OFC course he helped design.
“It’s a different course because it is a FIFA course, and essentially, a coaching course. But there will a similar theme of development because Tonga are also at the beginning of their programme. Also, I understand, they are hoping to create leagues and a facility like the futsal court that was constructed in Samoa under FIFA Goal Project, which is fantastic news” he says.
Introducing locals to accessible small-sided games that can improve the technical level of players is just one of the benefits of the course according to Toohey.
“While we are always hoping to develop futsal and beach soccer as sports in their own right, we also focus on integrating futsal into existing programmes and extending the football season,” he explains.
“Hopefully, we can take a look at the TFA Development Centres and the Centres of Excellence and how we can include more futsal in their activities, and also share ideas on what is required to create sustainable competitions for all age groups and abilities.”
The grassroots and youth development programmes that have already been implemented in Tonga’s Centres of Excellence and Development Centres, have already shown their worth. Some players have gone on to spend time at the Asia Pacific Football Academy while others have had a chance to showcase their skills with national sides at regional tournaments.
Toohey says the emerging talent at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship earlier this year was a perfect example of this, giving food for thought on the progress that could be made once futsal become a permanent part of the programme.
“I was lucky enough to watch the whole U-20 women’s tournament and I was really impressed with Tonga. I said at that time to Nicola [Demaine, OFC Women’s Development Officer] that I believed futsal could play a huge part in taking these and future national team players to another level.
“Helping young footballers is very much in our thinking. The technical benefits of futsal are well-documented and its one of the reasons I’m very motivated to go to Tonga and help.”
Around twenty participants have signed up for the course, and Toohey says it is a good cross section of TFA staff, club coaches and volunteers, including some from outside the main island of Tongatapu.
“I think there is a feeling that beach soccer may be better suited to other parts of Tonga and so it is important to identify the people who have the passion to take the game forward.
“That’s the key on any course like this. To identify, encourage and give confidence to people to go back to their own community and start something. Regardless of how small that project may be, it is always worthwhile.
“The good thing in terms of development, is I have a dual role to play. As instructor for FIFA, but also when I return as OFC development officer for both disciplines it means I can really support afterwards and make sure TFA have the advice and resources they need to carry the projects forward.”
As for his expectations for the course and the future of beach soccer and futsal in Tonga, Toohey is confident the locals will take to the games like ducks to water.
“I’m yet to come across a football loving community that doesn’t adapt to futsal. For me it’s a natural fit if you love and have a passion for football. Very quickly you start to see not only the technical and tactical benefits, but also the sheer joy everyone gets from the game.
“With beach soccer the enjoyment factor is equally important. We saw last year with the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti and what that did for the football loving community as they followed the Tiki Toa and the tournament itself. I am sure some of that magic will ‘rub off’ on our participants next week.”
He says one of the most exciting aspects of these two disciplines is that there are examples of success in our very own region which all Member Associations can relate to.
“Often in futsal and beach soccer we talk about the likes of Spain and Brazil. We love to talk about these countries and the fantastic example they set for developing the game, but actually we can also look within our region and see the Tiki Toa and Kurukuru as examples of teams who are making waves at a local level and on the global stage. Plus all the emerging countries as well.
So we can see futsal and beach soccer are already a big part of Oceania’s football culture and something we can all aspire to without it being a farway dream.”
The FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Coaching Course is being held at the Tonga Football Centre from 12-16 May.

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