National Goalkeeping Grassroots: first course for Goalkeeping Coaches successfully completed

The first National Goalkeeping Grassroots course organised by the San Marino Football Federation came to an end yesterday morning, Saturday 13 May 2023, with the presentation of certificates to the enrolled coaches who successfully completed the training programme. The classes began on 21 April and were divided into two modules, for a total of 18 hours of specific training. The participants showed great enthusiasm, having long awaited the opportunity to exchange ideas on the subject. Thanks to sustained work in liaising with UEFA, San Marino has now embarked on a pathway that will enable the technical sector to equip itself with specialised roles that are increasingly in demand in the modern game – such as, for example, those fulfilled by Goalkeeping Coaches. "This journey in effect began three years ago,” notes Head of the Coach Education Department, Carlo Chiarabini, “when the UEFA Coaching Convention officially defined the role of the Goalkeeping Coach, structured on two levels: UEFA B Goalkeeping and UEFA A Goalkeeping. San Marino immediately chose to map out the route that will soon lead to a UEFA B Goalkeeping course, which from 2025 will be essential for clubs wishing to take part in international competitions. Before embracing this training pathway, however, it was necessary to build an introductory one, laying the foundations for a wider audience and enabling many goalkeeping coaches to become aware of how much work there is still to do. This, in essence, was the objective of the National Goalkeeping Grassroots course, delivered together with Alessandro Danti. We have shared various experiences within UEFA in the field of Coach Education; we understand each other instantly and we share the same teaching philosophy – a fundamental aspect". The National Goalkeeping B qualification will allow coaches to work with goalkeepers in the youth sectors of San Marino clubs, as well as with goalkeepers involved in all Grassroots activities, and in the near future it could become a minimum requirement for coaching goalkeepers at clubs competing in San Marino’s national competitions. This course therefore represents a first, crucial step for a role that is becoming ever more central to the development of football. Warm thanks are also extended to the FIGC, which made Alessandro Danti, UEFA goalkeeping lead and FIGC course instructor, available. He will again lead the sessions on the next course, supported by FSGC Coach Education Department Head, Carlo Chiarabini, ensuring an integrated management of activities which has now become essential to guarantee the required standard of the training offer.

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