PRESS RELEASE – Twelve of Guam’s coaches recently were recognized for officially earning their internationally recognized AFC “B” Coaching License certificates in a presentation ceremony Saturday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.
“On behalf of Guam Football Association, I would like to congratulate all coaches who recently earned their AFC “B” Coaching licenses,” said Tino San Gil, GFA President, who presented the certificates to coaches during the ceremony. “As the demand for more, higher level football increases in Guam, so does the need for certified coaches to meet this demand. I am pleased with the group of coaches who understand the value of coach education and dedicate their time and efforts to continue to elevate the level of football in Guam.”
Coaches recognized in the ceremony are Ross Awa, Rhoda Bamba, Bryan Cadiz, Derrick Cruz, Keith Dickson, Matthew Elwell, Dr. Gary Larkin, Anjelica Perez, Maggie Phillips, Chyna Ramirez, Kimberly Sherman, and Jeremy Wendal. The coaches registered for the AFC “B” Coaching Certificate Course held in Guam that concluded Jan. 25. Also in the course who successfully earned their AFC “B” Coaching License were Jershwin Angeles and Lalaine Pagarao from the Northern Mariana Islands. Ruselle Zapanta earned a pro-pass in this year’s course. The course was conducted by visiting AFC Instructor Yusuke Adachi and assistant instructor Kazunori Ohara.
“Continuous coach education is so vital to football development as game trends constantly change,” said Belinda Wilson, GFA Technical Director. “I am pleased to meet and work with coaches who understand that principle and are passionate about raising the level of football in Guam.
“These accomplishments in Coach Education are all in line with the goals and objectives presented in GFA’s Strategic Plan 2017-2020. Through opportunities and support we provide Guam’s coaches, it is our hope that one day, homegrown coaches will lead Guam’s senior national teams to international success,” Wilson added.
With the 12 coaches from Guam who successfully passed, GFA has more than doubled its number of active AFC “B” certified coaches. Guam previously listed only eight active coaches with an AFC “B” Coaching certificate when the GFA Strategic Plan 2017-2020 was completed, and later added Mark Chargualaf to the database after he earned his AFC “B” Coaching Certificate in 2018.
“It’s crucial that coaches continue their education because we are continually trying to improve the standard of football in Guam,” said Dominic Gadia, GFA Coach Education Development Officer. “We can’t keep using old methodologies of previous licenses because the world standard of football is changing day by day. I believe it’s crucial for these coaches to continue along their coaching pathways so that they may provide a better quality of service to the people who mean the most, their players. Through their hard work and accomplishments, it’s an opportunity for them to develop and become leaders of their respective football environments.
“They are leaders not just to those who work under them, but more importantly to those who are above them. As coaches, we must learn to bring everyone around us to a higher standard,” Gadia added.
Coaches with an AFC “B” Coaching Certificate are eligible to register for AFC “A” Coaching Certificate courses after logging in the minimum requirement of active coaching hours, and after earning the AFC “A” Coaching Certificate, may work toward obtaining an AFC Pro Diploma, the highest certificate in the continent. The AFC Pro Diploma is required for head coaches of Men’s and Women’s national teams in AFC competitions, according to the 2019 edition of the AFC Competition Operations Manual.
To view GFA’s Strategic Plan 2017-2020, visit http://guamfa.com/contact-
us/finance-and-governance/official-documents and scroll down to the listing under
GFA.
To view information on upcoming GFA coaching courses, visit
http://guamfa.com/education/coaches/courses/
