Coaching ● Sep 20, 2023
Third of four-part FAS/AFC ‘B’ Diploma (SG-Coach Level 2 Full Integration) concluded
A practical session with a participant (man in purple shirt), August 2023.
SINGAPORE, 20 SEPTEMBER 2023 – The Coaching Education and Development (CED) Department of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) recently concluded the third part of the four-part 2023 FAS/AFC ‘B’ Diploma (SG-Coach Level 2 Full Integration) Coaching Course.
From 24 to 29 August 2023, 23 participants took part in the course at ITE College Central. Under the mentorship of Lead Coach Developer, Mr. Subramani Shunmugham, and Assistant Coach Developer, Mr. Loh Ngiap Tai, the participants delved into a comprehensive curriculum designed to elevate their coaching knowledge and skills.
The FAS/AFC ‘B’ Diploma Coaching Course is structured into three distinct segments: Pre-Course, In-Course, and Post-Course. The third part of the course falls under the In-Course segment, representing a pivotal stage in the participants’ coaching journey. Prior to this, during Part 2, the course participants engaged in valuable work/mentoring experiences at amateur clubs or youth programs, mentored by accomplished FAS/AFC ‘A’ Diploma or equivalent coaches.
A feedback session between Lead Coach Developer, Mr. Subramani Shunmugham (man in black shirt) and course participant, Mr. Leong Chee Mun (man in purple shirt), August 2023.
In the third part of the course, participants learned about Sports Science theory, covering topics such as “The Basics of Periodisation For Soccer (Coaching Process + Periodisation)” and “Stages of Growth – Long Term Athletic Development.” The practical sessions were equally enriching, featuring a gym session on “Strength & Conditioning” and field topics including “Block Defending” and “Defending Play (2v2, 2v3, & Numerical disadvantage).” These sessions were led by both Coach Developers and course participants, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Guest speakers from the FAS’s Goalkeeping Department presented insights on “Shot Stopping/Handling Crosses,” while the Football Science & Medicine Department shared their expertise on various Sports Science topics. As a significant milestone, this part of the course marked the first practical assessment for participants. During these assessments, participants were videoed, and audio recorded, enabling them to engage in reflective feedback sessions with the Coach Developers. The course participants are set to return for Part 4 of the In-Course segment from September 16 to September 21, 2023.
Guest speaker Jens Eiberger from the Football Science and Medicine Department sharing on various Sport Science topics, August 2023.
Mr. Leong Chee Mun, a course participant, shared his experience, saying, “The attention given to values-driven coaching, player-centred development, and Game-for-Life will certainly guide coaches to navigate their coaching philosophy and habits. Our Coach Developers are foremost exemplary with their coaching style: patience, encouragement, and fervor to help us learn and improve. The practical assessment process is another reflection of the growth mindset encouraged by the FAS’s CED Department. The focus on improvement and the ‘coaching journey’ including an attachment to learn from an experienced mentor coach, allow us to build progressively towards being proficient.”
Another course participant, Mr Mohamed Ashraf Bin Mohamed Aziz reflected similar sentiments, adding: “The FAS/AFC ‘B’ Diploma (SG-Coach Level 2 Full Integration) Coaching Course has been an invaluable experience this far having completed 3 out of 4 parts of the in-course segment. The Work Experience/Mentoring was during part 2 of the course. Being attached to an actively coaching FAS/AFC ‘A’ Diploma holder coach has given me insights into the processes involved in a competitive youth set-up and a platform for me to receive feedback from a mentor with regard to how I run my sessions.
He adds: “The 3rd part of the course has been by far the most productive in terms of my personal development as a coach. Having the practical assessment video and audio recording is an unbelievable tool for us to observe and reflect on the session that we delivered before our feedback session with the Coach Developers. Furthermore, the discussions and input from the other course participants, who are all active coaches in the industry, maximised the learning throughout the 6 days with the 2 experienced Coach Developers facilitating it. I look forward to the 4th part of the course where I hope to apply what I’ve learnt so far to my 2nd practical assessment”.
A participant-led practical session by Mr Mohamed Ashraf Bin Mohamed Aziz (man in blue bib), August 2023.
Lead Coach Developer Mr Subramani Shunmugham was heartened by the active participation throughout the course: “I strongly believe the work/mentoring experience indeed plays an intricate part in the course participants development as a coach, which was evident in their first practical assessment. I’m also glad to see the engagement level of the participants throughout this part of the course with a lot of sharing and feedback as well.”
The Head of Coach Education & Development, Mr Zainudeen Hassan said: “We take pride in our progressive course model which our course participants find note-worthy. The coach education journey is a long process, and it’s nice to see a good group of receptive coaches.”
