NFABD Under-16 head-coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng (2nd L) talking to participants during yesterday's Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 'C' licence coaching certificate course practical session. BT/Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
Twenty-one coach hopefuls will go through a second assessment in their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 'C' licence coaching certificate course at the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) House in Berakas today.
The first assessment was held on Monday, while the third and final assessment will be held on Sunday before the course comes to a close with the certificate presentation on Tuesday.
However, in an interview with The Brunei Times during their practical training session at the Pulaie Primary School football field yesterday, NFABD's Under-16 head coach Stephen Ng Heng Seng - who is facilitating the 13-day course with the NFABD technical director Mike Wong Mun Heng - said that all coaches will not be guaranteed a pass in the course.
"It is not easy to become a coach and they must work really hard to earn it (their certificates)," Ng reminded the participants.
"They will be having their second assessment tomorrow (today) and they need to work hard for the second and third assessment if they want to pass the course," added the Singaporean.
The 'C' certificate course is aimed at developing coaches' basic techniques and skill in football.
They are also learning to organise, direct and conduct basic coaching practices, and after receiving the minimum 85 hours of lessons (practical and theory), they will be assessed on their practical coaching abilities and knowledge of the laws of the game.
The 'C' licence holders are eligible to apply for the 'B' licence after two years' of coaching experience, followed by an additional year to take the 'A' licence.
They will then have to conduct another two years of coaching, as well as meet certain criteria, before they are eligible for the AFC Professional Coaching Diploma.
"This morning we did some theory work on player performance, strategy, tactics and nutrition, and now we are doing some practical work on defending and training," continued Ng yesterday.
"There are still many areas to cover and I hope that we will be able to finish everything before the final assessment," added Ng.
The course, which started last Friday, has attracted 16 entrants from Brunei-Muara, two from Belait, two from Temburong and one from Indonesia.
AFC also offers a Conditioning Coaching Certificate course, a Futsal Coaching Certificate course and a Goalkeeping Coaching Certificate course.
Those who pass the relevant courses can also study with AFC to become an AFC Coaching Instructor, AFC Conditioning Instructor, AFC Futsal In structor and AFC Goalkeeping Instructor.
Speaking to The Brunei Times after the launching of the course last Friday, Wong stressed the need for more coaches in the country.
"To my understanding Brunei held this same course six years ago, and so far we have about 10 qualified coaches - but most of them are now inactive," said Wong, who wants to see 63 'C' licenced coaches within the year.
"We are now trying to expand the number of coaches here, and when I say expand the number of coaches, I mean we want good qualified coaches.
"With good coaches, of course the return will be good players.
"We (also) want to get qualified coaches in the country so that the league will be better, which will lead to better national squads," said the former head coach of Singapore League side Geylang United from 2009-2012.
Both Ng and Wong were hired last September, Ng to oversee the development of grassroot football in the country while Wong is responsible for the planning and implementation of the country's various football development programmes.