A grassroots development programme has kicked off in Samoa – a key part of FIFA’s plan for local football over the next few years.
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The training programme is being spearheaded by the Oceania Football Confederation’s Paul Toohey.
He said FIFA was responsible for him coming over from New Zealand, to train Samoan footballers aged 6-12.
“It’s to give the kids as best an introduction to the sport as possible,” he said.
Numerous skills would be developed over the week, including dribbling, ball control, passing and shooting.
“Small side games with small fields” would help the kids quickly develop those skills, he said.
The training was “a fundamental part” of FIFA and Football Federation Samoa’s development programme, he said.
Coaching was also important, and would be the other focus of the weeklong training session.
Mr Toohey wanted to help Samoan coaches improve their ability to work with young players.
Coach Nadia Malifa, 29, said she wanted to become much more knowledgeable about football to help out the Under 15 excellence girls’ team she coached.
She’d been coaching for three years, through Football Federation Samoa, and was excited to develop throughout the week.
“I want to gain better understanding of the key principles of coaching,” she said.
Mr Toohey said FIFA wanted to help plan out the next few years of Samoan football.
Training youth was part of FIFA’s long-term plan for developing the sport.
Mr Toohey hoped the course would help create “regular opportunities” for Samoans to play football.
About 30 people were expected to attend the training programme throughout the week.
It would culminate in a “festival” on Friday afternoon, where up to a hundred people were expected.
“I’ve never been involved in a grassroots festival where the kids haven’t loved it.”
Those participating in the weeklong training session would organise the festival, he said.
That would see the kids playing lots of games to cap off the week.
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