Chaired by AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh, the session was attended by more than 120 participants from across AFC Member Associations and featured a line-up of grassroots experts, including Football Australia’s Head of Member Federation Relations and Community, Will Hastie, Education 4 Peace Foundation Founder Mark Milton, FIFA Regional Technical Consultant Chokey Nima, Guam Football Association Executive Director Cheri Stewart and AFC Grassroots and Youth Football Development Consultant Robin Russell.

Covering a wide range of topics, the experts emphasised the creation of a safe and inviting environment in grassroots football and highlighted the various factors that lead to children quitting the sport, which include being undermined by coaches, and the issue of managing the expectations of parents.

Against the backdrop of such challenges, the panellists discussed the pivotal role played by coaches in shaping a child’s early football experience as well as ways for them to handle emotions among the children.

“It is important for community coaches to not react to situations negatively and meet all challenges with empathy and the well-being of the child as the foremost priority,” said Hastie.

“Just as it is the case in professional football, it is necessary for a grassroots coach to build a good team around them and to always ensure that a child is never suffering the consequences of emotional parents.”

Yet another highlight of the programme was the dialogue on the AFC Children’s Coach Certificate, which aims to equip grassroots coaches with the knowledge and tools needed to work with youngsters, while staying in alignment with the AFC Coaching Convention.

With grassroots coaching comprising individuals from diverse walks of life, the initiative seeks to provide guidance on safeguarding, teaching methods, player development, and other key areas that go beyond technical instruction and instead create a safe and secure environment for children to thrive.