A total of 27 participants from various parts of the country attended the three-day Fiji Futsal Coaching Course at the Fiji FA Academy in Ba, which concluded over the weekend.
Led by Fiji Futsal head coach Jose Gerardo, this was the first coaching course conducted since he took on his role with the Fiji Football Association.
Gerardo, who is committed to enhancing futsal development in Fiji, praised the passion, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn displayed by all participants during the program.
With a total of 27 participants, Gerardo was impressed by the dedication shown towards futsal, emphasizing its importance in building a strong foundation for the sport’s growth in their communities.
“It’s always encouraging to see coaches showing this level of energy and commitment because they are the foundation for developing the sport in their communities,” said Gerardo.
The course covered a wide range of topics, including futsal tactics, coaching principles, player development, game management, and the philosophy behind futsal’s fast-paced and skill-focused style.
Participants were also introduced to modern coaching techniques aimed at improving both technical and tactical understanding.
According to Gerardo, the response from the coaches reflected a genuine hunger to improve and to bring the knowledge back to their districts.
“The participants were very engaged and eager to learn. They asked questions, shared experiences, and showed real teamwork,” he said.
“This makes me confident that the future of futsal in Fiji is heading in the right direction.”
He also noted that futsal has been gaining strong momentum in recent years, particularly among younger players, and emphasized the importance of having qualified and well-trained coaches to guide that growth.
“Futsal is not just a smaller version of football, it’s a unique game that teaches players to think faster, move smarter, and develop technical skills that are also useful in football,” Gerardo explained.
