Given the text: Dominic Gadia became one of Asia’s newest Asian Football Confederation “C” coaching instructors after passing all examinations and receiving positive evaluations from other instructors.
Gadia, the Guam Football Association's Coach Education Development Officer, is Guam’s first and only homegrown AFC “C” coaching instructor after receiving high marks in last year’s AFC Member Association Instructor Course examination and positive evaluations after assisting instructors Richard Sinapan in December last year and Mohamed Basir last month, according to the Guam Football Association.
With his new credential, Gadia is qualified to conduct AFC “C” License courses independently in Guam and across Asia.
“With better coaches, we can produce better players and for that reason, GFA has identified coaching education as a key pillar of its development strategy,” Gadia said. “By developing a local instructor, GFA can now begin conducting courses to improve and raise the standards of our coaches here on island. Additionally, GFA can now tailor its coach education programs to the needs and demands of local coaches and football in Guam."
Next up for Gadia is getting certification to conduct the AFC “B” License course.
"It has been discussed that AFC has created a coaching convention and that GFA is working toward applying to become a member of the convention," Gadia said. "The goal of the convention seeks to define, maintain, and raise the standards of tutors/coach education programs all throughout Asia. By 2019, an AFC coaching license is only valid and recognized by AFC if your member association is part of this convention."
developing a minimum of two local AFC coach instructors by 2020.
With Gadia achieving AFC instructor status, half of one objective has been met. With his new role in delivering AFC “C” License courses, the plan’s other objective is on track, according to the Guam Football Association.
“This is great news for the entire Guam football community,” said Belinda Wilson, GFA technical director, who also is a FIFA Instructor. “By having a local AFC Instructor on island, it changes the landscape for football. It’s the beginning of a new generation of coaches, as participants will reap the rewards of the new course schedules and delivery, all enhancing the learning outcomes."
Wilson said that for a long time, the Guam Football Association had to rely on off-island courses for certifying coaches, or on the availability of a foreign coach to conduct courses on Guam.
"(Last year) we identified these circumstances as some of the challenges that limited Guam’s overall progression in the sport," Wilson said. "With a local AFC instructor, these challenges are mitigated. Dominic’s progression through AFC’s coach education pathway is definitely noteworthy and I’m very pleased with his determination to achieve even more for Guam and for his own professional development."
The AFC “C” License is internationally recognized and required to obtain higher level licenses, as well as specialized licenses for goalkeeper coaches and fitness coaches, according to the Guam Football Association. A minimum of a “C” License is required to coach at the youth national level.
Locally, the AFC “C” License is the minimum for all head coaches of the United Airlines Center of Excellence. The program, supported by Japan Football Association, began last month and officially replaced the former National Academy, the local soccer federation stated.
Beginning with the 2018/2019 season of the Budweiser Soccer League, an AFC “C” License will be required for coaches of teams competing in the Premier Division, among other team requirements.
Gadia’s first AFC “C” License course as an AFC instructor is tentatively scheduled to take place over the first three weekends in June at the GFA National Training Center. Interested coaches must first obtain a GFA “D” License to register for the AFC “C” License Course, according to the Guam Football Association.
For coaches looking to obtain a GFA “D” License, two certificates must be earned — the GFA Skill Acquisition Certificate and the GFA Game Training Certificate.
Gadia will be conducting a GFA Skill Acquisition Certificate Course in two blocks, from April 21-22 and April 28-29. The course is structured for coaches working with players in the U9 to U12 age groups.
Gadia will then conduct the GFA Game Training Certification Course, the second and final component to obtain the newly structured GFA “D” License, in early May, in time to meet the pre-requisite for the AFC “C” License Course in June. To register for the GFA Game Training Certificate Course, coaches must have obtained a previous GFA “D” License or a GFA Skill Acquisition Certificate. Coaches who’ve earned the AFC “C” License from previous courses are also welcome to register, according to the Guam Football Association.
An additional AFC “C” License Course is tentatively scheduled to take place this year during the months of November and December, Gadia said.
Also in the pipeline in GFA’s Coach Education pathway is an upcoming AFC “B” License course to be conducted in two parts — the first in August and the second in January 2019.
For inquiries about upcoming coaching courses, email coacheducation@theguamfa.com or Chyna Ramirez at chyna.ramirez@theguamfa.com.
What are the objectives of the AFC coaching convention and how does it promote the development of coach education programs in Asia, and why is it significant for Guam's sports industry?
This prompt doesn't seem malicious.