Courtesy: Fiji Times


Fiji has potential: Gilligan

Thursday, January 21, 2010

FORMER Australian Futsal coach Scott Gilligan believes Fiji has the potential to qualify for the 2011 World Championship.

Gilligan is in the country to conduct Futsal level one and two coaching courses.

He will be assisting the Fiji Futsal Commission (FFC) in selecting the national squad for the 2010 Oceania Football Confederation Futsal Championship as well.

Gilligan is the Oceania Futsal development manager and he believes a positive approach by Fiji Football Association towards the code will assist in taking the sport to the next level.

"I believe Fiji has a lot of potential to qualify for the World Championships. Solomon Islands have a head start but the good thing is that Fiji FA is taking Futsal very seriously," he said.

He said the week long level two coaching course would help the various local coaches update their knowledge.

"Level two is the next step for the coaches. There will be more principles and defensive approach. Level one was basics."

Gilligan will be in Labasa next week to conduct the level one coaching course before travelling to the western division to help FFC conduct more trials in selecting the national squad.

The Futsal level two course began at the Vodafone Arena yesterday with 21 participants. Fiji FA vice-president Anil Sharma, who is chairman of the Fiji Futsal Commission, was the chief guest during the official launch.Sharma said Fiji FA was serious about Fiji qualifying for the Futsal World Championship in 2011.

"Futsal is one area where Fiji can quickly qualify for the World Cup rather than the full code. This course is not just coming here and taking certificates but I will be interested to see how the coaches will be able to use that knowledge," he said.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com