“FIFA Grassroots course & festival” was held in Suzuka Sports Centre Mie on 23 to 28 September.
Based on the notion of “A football should be the sports that everyone enjoys playing anywhere with anybody regardless of age, sex, body structure, nationality, etc.”, this is fifth time to jointly hold FIFA grassroots course started in 2010.

This course’s goals are to train up coach mainly teaching six to 12 years children and find a good coach and raise coaching standard. This course is instructed by instructor from FIFA and deliver lecture and practical session in the event of festival-format, additionally let participants come up with the program – all through preparation to wrap-up.

We are honored to have two FIFA instructors, Mr. Sam Schweingruber and Mr. Lim Kim Chon and they gave lesson and practical training for 26 coaches gathered from all over Japan. Wrapping up the course on 27th, 340 kids in Mie participated in the festival and presented the forum to meet coach, children and parents.

FIFA Instructors Comments

Mr. Sam Schweingruber
As previously when I was instructor for the same course in Osaka in 2012, I was impressed with they work hard and their attitude of participants eager to pick up something out of lecture. Another example I was really motivated was about all participants stayed late till midnight and prepared for the next day’s program for kids, demonstrating the grassroots activity in Japan is heading right directions. It is extremely important to train up grassroots age players for making competitive players in top domain.

Mr. Lim Kim Chon
I see the big potential of Japan grassroots future, as I watch serious attitude of participants, led by JFA instructor, dedicated preparation by support staff. The level of football does not go up out of a blue sky, it comes from the training program for this age group. I look forward to watching many Japanese coaches and children enjoy playing football and giving birth to bunch of top-notch players.

JFA Instructor Comment

MINAGAWA Shinichi
We conducted this course, offering many lectures and group works followed by practical training on the pitch and wrap up, inviting two instructors from FIFA for participants – ranging from national training center coach, youth directors in prefecture and those supporting kids-related activity. The festival and tournament were held on 27th for 340 childrren – grade 1 to 4.
The big theme of FIFA Grassroots course is reflecting the philosophy of “Welcome everybody”, ”Fun & Quality” and holding interaction with kids. I learned it is important and key factor to keep flexibility and passion for bringing out children’s smile. It was a day of fun filled with kids’ smiling face. I really appreciate people in Mie Football Association for preparation and course management. Thank you very much.

Participants Comments

ITO Tatsuya (Aichi)
This course makes me think about essence of grassroots. Detailed festival management, preparation, targeting quality of each session – all for kids participating in the festival. This is just one of those preparations of festival for us but this event could become starting point for the kids.
That is why kids can enjoy without feeling stress and giving them feeling they improved somewhat. That is what I learned from this event.　I want to make most of today’s experience in the future.
Thank you very much for me to participate in this wonderful event of FIFA grassroots course & festival and thank FIFA instructor, JFA Observer and participants.

KAWAGUCHI Kuniharu (Nagasaki)
I learned grassroots is something you can do anytime with anybody. Anything can happen when dealing with kids. Just try to think “this is what I expected” and most importantly keep smiling anytime.

SAITO Yuya (Mie)
I had precious experience for attending FIFA grassroots course. Learning about philosophy of grassroots, I realized how difficult to achieve both fun of playing football (=fun) and quality of play (=quality). I want to work on to organize grassroots festival in this community.

Festival participants comments

TACHI Kaito (1st grade student)
I enjoyed very much participating in festival and tournament. I couldn’t score goal in the game but I definitely want to score next time. It was interesting to learn from different coaches. I want to become stylish player like Germany international player in the future.

TASHIRO Saki (1st grade student)
I played football for the first time and it was fun, It was interesting to take part in all variety of trainings and played with people I meet them for first time. I want to come to the festival if any.