Beirut: The AFC Dream Asia Foundation continued to support the Football Club Social Alliance's (FCSA) Young Coach Education Programme in Lebanon which was held here last week.
Following a successful start to the project in September, the coaching education is delivered by instructors from the Swiss league champions FC Basel 1893 and German Bundesliga clubs SV Werder Bremen, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke 04.
Together, these instructors train 30 young men and women to become grassroots football coaches.
Through their activities, these young adults will go on to create safe sanctuaries for refugee and Lebanese children to mix and experience the joy and structure that football can provide.
With the support of the Dream Asia Foundation, the FCSA will educate socially committed Lebanese and refugees to teach children basic values for peaceful coexistence through football activities.
"I am very impressed with our participants, the Young Coaches. Compared to the last module in September, they made a huge step forward in their development to young, competent coaches - in all areas, the social as well as the football. By now, they can differentiate between technical and playful fun exercises, they can vary and adjust them. The group is on a great way and can already now provide safe learning, play and fun for many children." said Willy Schmid, an instructor from FC Basel 1893 and FCSA Technical Director of Education Programmes.
It has been a fantastic learning experience for the 30 Young Coaches.
"Prior to this training, I only had a vague idea of how to be a coach,” said Young Coach Quatiba, an Iraqi refugee. “Now I've learned how children can learn and have fun at the same time. I can now adapt exercises to any situation, age or level. I now feel more comfortable coaching and the children are having fun.”
For some, this education programme has been their very first-time coaching.
Young Coach Minas, a female refugee from Syria, added: “I had never played football before joining this programme. When I first started coaching, many children left my training in the middle of it. The boys did not want to join. Then I learned from the instructors to better adapt my exercises to the level of the children and to inspire them. The kids are now focused and even the boys are looking forward to the next lesson.”
The education programme is being carried out in collaboration with Scort, the FCSA, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Lebanese Football Association.
The FCSA continues to work closely with refugee communities to offer hope and opportunity for children and young people who find themselves in a precarious situation. The third and final education module will take place in Spring 2018.
Source: Lebanese Football Association
Source: the-afc.com