ASA heads to CBF courses in Brazil

ASA’s Technical Staff travels to Brazil for professional and club development opportunities

ASA Staff Blog: https://alexandriasoccerassociationblog.wordpress.com/ 

As part of the club's commitment to excellence Alexandria Soccer goes above and beyond to push its staff towards continued professional development.  The technical and staff coaches have progressed through the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) coursework to achieve various National level licenses.  This year, in lieu of pursuing their next USSF license, ASA’s full time technical staff of Executive/Technical Director, Tommy Park, Director of Youth Development, Chris Arnold, Director of Coaching, Ryan Rich, and Director of Recreation and Programs, Jim Hogan will travel to Brazil this December to pursue their Futsal coaching license, study youth development models at professional clubs, share ideas with CBF (Brazilian Federation) leadership and audit the CBF “A” license course.  The ASA staff is extremely motivated to bring back to Alexandria ideas on how to further develop the club's culture, in depth curriculum, training structure and Futsal training/league.  In addition, the staff plans to arrange an itinerary at host clubs for ASA youth teams (and parents!) to visit and play in Brazil in the near future. 

Trip Highlights:

• Obtain Futsal coaching license at the “International Futsal Unisport Meeting” in Sao Paulo.  The lead instructor on the course is FC Barcelona director of futsal Andreu Plaza along with directors of Futsal at Brazilian Futsal professional clubs.
• Audit the CBF “A” license (most advanced) at the CBF headquarters of Granja Comary.
• Visit the academy headquarters of Santos FC (Neymar’s original club)
• Meet with CBF technical director at the headquarters in Barra da Tijuca, Rio to share best practices and explore a long term coaching education partnership
• Observe and study training sessions and youth academy games with Flamengo (Brazil’s largest club) and Botafogo’s technical staff at their training grounds in Rio.
• Visit and explore host partnerships with professional clubs from Belo Horizonte including the youth development training sessions and staff meetings at Cruzeiro (top youth academy in Brazil) and America. 
• Watch youth training sessions, share best practices and explore partnerships with professional Futsal clubs Recreativo and Minas in Belo Horizonte
• Take in several professional matches in Rio and Sao Paulo

As highlighted the technical staff has scheduled visits to Sao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. Assisting in the trip is Pedro Paiva who is a former co-worker of many in the ASA technical staff (when they spent time working together at D.C. United) and is now working for Aoxy Experiences in Brazil. Through Pedro's expansive network and involvement in hosting the CBF coaching courses the staff is excited for the unique educational opportunities this trip will provide.

Executive Director Tommy Park notes "ASA has taken strides forward in the last few years by professionalizing the club's administrative and educational structure.  As a result, the overall experience for players and parents has been more enjoyable instilling a greater passion for the game.  In Brazil, the passion for soccer is deeply rooted in the country's history.  Exposing our technical staff to the youth development practices of a country that has produced some of the greatest players of all-time will allow the club to provide better support for all club programs. More specifically, the introduction and development of the ASA Futsal league has provided a unique and enjoyable opportunity for our kids in the winter months.  This differentiates ASA from many other American clubs and most importantly exposes players to the fun and fast paced game that is played on every street and park across Brazil.  The U.S. Soccer Federation has recognized the importance of Futsal in its player’s development model and curriculum.  So much so that its academy players are mandated to participate every year in a Futsal program.  We look forward to reporting back to the professional staff and volunteer coaches what we learn and hope to develop relationships where the next trip to Brazil includes ASA players and parents!” 

To follow the ASA technical staff’s professional development trip to Brazil visit their blog here: https://alexandriasoccerassociationblog.wordpress.com/ 

The staff will return to the office on Monday, December 15^th in preparation for the ASA Futsal league that kicks off January 4th.  Though they will be generally available by email if you have any questions or concerns regarding programming.  

For more information and to register for the ASA Futsal league click here.