Coaching ● May 21, 2021
FAS conducts AFC Professional Football Diploma Coaching Course virtually
SINGAPORE, 20 MAY 2021 – The first module of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Professional Football Diploma (Pro-Diploma) Coaching Course successfully concluded earlier this week.
Initially scheduled to be held at the Jalan Besar Stadium on 17 and 18 May, the first of four modules was held virtually instead due to new Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the government last week.
The second AFC Pro-Diploma course to be conducted by FAS since the first in 2012, this was attended by 19 participants – all of whom were required to hold an AFC ‘A’ Diploma for at least two years and be coaching at a Professional or Elite Youth team(s) level.
Seven head coaches of the 2021 AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) were in attendance, as well as Yeong Sheau Shyan, the sole female participant and Abbas Saad, the sole non-local based attendee. The former Malaysia Cup winner with Singapore travelled from Australia to take part in this elite coaching course.
The course was helmed by Robert Sherman, who holds a UEFA Pro License, UEFA Level 5 Coach Education and has 43 years of coaching experience. He has also worked with the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, and served as Technical Director at Wales, New Zealand and Australia.
The course was officially opened by FAS President Mr Lim Kia Tong, who gave an address to all the participants. FAS General Secretary, Mr Yazeen Buhari and FAS Technical Director, Mr Joseph Palatsides, also addressed them.
The topics covered centred around Life Cycle of the Professional Coach, Culture of Excellence, Vision and Philosophy, and Team Model amongst others.
Philippe Aw, Head Coach of the Young Lions, said: “I’m delighted that we managed to kick off the course amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As with the new normal, this phase of the course went virtual and it’s something we have been accustomed to for the past year. The contents delivered and experiences shared by Mr Rob Sherman was certainly insightful.”
On the successful conclusion of the course, FAS Head of Coach Education and Development, Mohamed Zainudeen Hassan said, “Due to the latest restrictions, we had to overcome challenges for the course to continue. On 14 May, we decided to change the course from a physical one to an online one.
“I am glad that we still managed to complete the course despite all the limitations, together with the support of our FAS President, General Secretary and Technical Director.”
Full list of participants: Philippe Aw (Young Lions), Subramani s/o Shunmughan, Fazuhasny Juraimi (both FAS National Youth Team), Keiji Shigetomi (Albirex Niigata (S)), Marko Kraljevic, Haris Sumri (both Balestier Khalsa), Mohamed Noor Ali (Geylang International), Clement Teo, Firdaus Kassim, Steven Tan Teng Chuan, Hairil Amin (all Hougang United), Yeong Sheau Shyan (Lion City Sailors (Women’s)), Gavin Lee, Sofiyan Abdul Hamid (both Tampines Rovers), Herman Zailani, Hasrin Jailani (both Tanjong Pagar United), Winston Yap (Lion City Sailors Under-21s), Abdul Musawir (Tanjong Pagar United Under-17s), Abbas Saad (Sydney Olympic)
