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12 sign up for soccer coaching course
Northern Mariana Islands Football Association’s Angie Ito, center, facilitates a drill during a coaching seminar last month at the NMI Soccer Training Center. NMIFA will hold a D License Coaching Course starting tomorrow. (Contributed Photo)
The Northern Mariana Islands Football Association will kick off its D License Coaching Course tomorrow with 12 individuals joining the three-day event at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
The participants are from four clubs and CNMI national team pools. National players Joshua Abragan, Jireh Yobech, Kohtaro Goto, Reginal Pascual, and Akira Kadokura will take part in the practical and theoretical sessions of the course and will be joined by MP United Football Club’s Gene Weaver, Martin Jambor, and Julianne Hall, Kanoa Football Club’s Chevy Alipio, Southern United’s Nathanette Blas, and TanHoldings Football Club’s Winneb Echavez and Katrina Costales.
NMIFA limited the number of participants in the course that will continue this Sunday and will conclude on Aug. 22, as it is strictly enforcing safety guidelines set by both local and federal authorities as well as its own precautionary measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will be constantly reminded to observe social distancing rules both at the pitch and in the classroom.
Tomorrow’s course will begin with a practical session at the NMISTC from 9:30m to 11:20am. Coaches will work on ball feeling, dribbling, and feinting drills. For the theoretical portion of the course, coaches will learn more about the laws of the game, techniques and tactics, and the grassroots program from 1:30pm to 4:20pm. Then Day 1 of the course will conclude with another practical sessions at the pitch and this time, coaches will work on passing, control of the ball, and shooting.
For Day 2, the morning session will start with classes on child development and growth, coaching and planning, and women’s football. For the pitch session, coaches will work on defending/gaining the ball skills and goal keeping before playing in small-sided games. Written and practical tests will cap the course next weekend.
Coaches are encouraged to attend and complete NMIFA’s D License Course to help them equip with the knowledge and skills in working with children under the CNMI’s youth league and assist in the continued growth of the Commonwealth’s soccer program.
