The beautiful island of Atiu was abuzz with excitement as 17 enthusiastic participants gathered for a three-day Junior Coaching Course, delivered by Jess Ibrom, the Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) national academy director, last week.

This event not only focused on honing the coaching skills but also aimed at identifying and nurturing local talent.

The course was carefully designed to incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects, ensuring that the participants understood the intricacies of coaching young football enthusiasts. The coaches themselves took part in engaging theory sessions which subsequently enabled them to design and deliver practical sessions for the primary school children on Atiu. This process reaffirmed the importance of understanding core concepts and implementing them effectively to develop young talent.

Ibrom’s course was aligned with FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme, currently being rolled out across Cook Islands. Therefore, one of the critical elements of this programme was talent identification in Atiu.

It is crucial to recognise budding footballers possessing essential attributes and provide them with opportunities that help to nurture their abilities further. The course placed considerable emphasis on evaluating players’ potential – focusing on physical, technical, tactical, and psychological aspects – an invaluable inclusion for coaches working at grassroots levels.

Overall, the Atiu Junior Coaching Course served as a vital platform for building a strong foundation for enhancing coaching quality within Atiu’s football landscape. With future investments in similar programmes, there is immense potential for growth in developing local talent and augmenting interest in football within the region.

Aspiring coaches who participated in this event have undoubtedly gained valuable insights and skills that will allow them to nurture football talents not only in Atiu but across Cook Islands.

• CIFA Media