Like the previous year, 2018 was yet another successful year, if not better, for the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) as far as coach education is concerned.

Under its long term football development plan, the Federation initiated imparting AFC certificate courses to coaches back in 2016 to improve their credentials. The initiative was taken in a bid to develop a well-educated group of coaches across the country who could ensure top quality coaching services for the players even at the grassroots level.

In 2018, the BFF completed 4 C certificate courses, finished the second phases of the B and A certificate courses that began in 2017 and also completed the first phase another B certificate course.

In January, the BFF had arranged refresher courses for coaches who had any of AFC ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ licenses. A total of over 50 coaches, who hold an AFC ‘C’ Certificate, took part in a refresher course. Among the participants, there were 3 female coaches with about 75% of the participants coming from remote areas ensuring proper representation from all around Bangladesh. The first group completed their course on January 22 with the second group on January 23. The AFC ‘B’ Certificate refresher course was held on January 24 with the ‘A’ refresher the next day.

In the short course, instructor Paul Smalley focused on theory and practical contents and relevant football topics to re-sharpen their credentials. The participants were happy to have the opportunity to re-check their skills as a coach and gain the motivation to work for further improvement.

The second phase of the BFF AFC C Certificate Coaching Course was held from February 24 to March 5 whereas the second phase of the A Certificate Coaching Course was held from March 10-24. Both the B and A certificate courses were well attended with full contingent. There were 5 female coaches in the B certificate course. However, no female coaches took part in the A certificate course. Both courses were represented with students from all part of Bangladesh. All are working in the game at various levels. BPL and BCL coaches from last year were also present.

The candidate coaches completed two parts of the course being exposed to a range of modules in line with the AFC Course Competency model. Candidate coaches had also been exposed to a range of in and post course tasks which were research and evidence based, practical session coaching and coach observation.

Course conductor Paul Smalley said that finishing these courses and handing out certificates is not the end of it. In line with the BFF’s plan to build better coaches to produce better footballers, the BFF would keep these certified coaches under constant monitoring. Following the B and A certificate courses, all the students have had post course tasks to do and practical coaching session practice. Tutorials of support on a consistent basis were arranged for all students throughout this process. Workshops were organised to understand the progress of the students. The coaching scheme portrays the BFF’s commitment to a national playing philosophy and change to the coaching culture.

The first C Certificate Coaching Course of the year began on April 4. It was the fifth C diploma course organized by the BFF in total with four previous editions being successfully completed in 2017. A total of 24 student coaches participated in the course, including 2 female coaches.

A six-day AFC Goalkeepers’ Level 1 Coaching Course concluded successfully April 30.The second edition of the course began on April 25 with 14 participant goalkeeping coaches. Among the 14, one participant was from Maldives and the rest were from various top level clubs of the country as well as from district level. AFC Goalkeeping Instructor and Football Federation Australia’s National Goalkeeping Development Manager Dean May conducted the course. The course included roughly two days of theoretical coaching and four days of practical training as per the requirements of the modern game.

On October 10, the second AFC B Certificate Coaching Course organized by the BFF begun with a view to upgrading the credentials of the C certificate coaches to next level. The first phase of the second B diploma course continued till October 19. A total of 24 coaches from across the country took part in the course. The course was designed in line with the new concept introduced by AFC, the ‘Coaching Convention’. The course is divided into two parts and only after the end of both phases, the candidates will undergo evaluation and will be certified accordingly.

The fourth and final C Certificate Course of 2018 concluded on November 30. The course is supported by AFC and its drive towards improving coaches from all over Asia. National Technical and Strategic Director Paul Smalley, who is directing the course, spoke about the need to continue the improvement of players and performances at international level with the catalyst of developing home grown Bangladesh coaches and a pathway for them a critical target. The course is split into various learning cycles, both theoretical and practical. Candidate coaches are provided with modern football knowledge, theoretical activities, practical tasks and research based assignments. The goal is to add to the development of these coaches’ capabilities and improve their attributes when they return to their districts and divisions in Bangladesh to continue their work with aspiring footballers.

Bangladesh Football Federation is committed to developing the game in the country and to be successful with that target, the BFF will continue to arrange more coaching courses in the upcoming years to build a strong base of homegrown quality coaches in the country. These will be the assets of BFF in nurturing the talents and fine-tuning them to make them battle-ready for the global challenge.