Johannesburg – SAFA Technical Director, Walter Steenbok is one of the selected 25 participants of FIFA’s new Technical Leadership Diploma launched in Brazil this week.
Steenbok joined other selected Technical Leaders from Member Associations and Confederations from around the globe at the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) Training Complex in Rio de Janeiro for block one of the 18-month-long course.
The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma aims to become the “globally recognised qualification” for Technical Leaders working in the game and will prepare participants for the distinct challenges and opportunities faced by a Technical Leader within a Member Association.
Five core domain areas which were covered in the first block of the course were:
- Technical Leadership
- High Performance
- Coach Education
- Amateur Football
- Management
“We are delighted to have welcomed Walter Steenbok onto our new Technical Leadership Diploma,” said Steven Martens, FIFA Director of Global Football Development.
“The role of the Technical Leader is crucial to the future of football and one we believe should have greater recognition.’’
Over the last few years, FIFA has been working closely with Member Associations to develop a number of programmes, such as the Talent Development Scheme (TDS).
‘’The successful implementation of these programmes rely on the leadership of Technical Leaders. So, naturally, we want to support, develop and work alongside Technical Leaders to help them become the very best they can be and, as a result, help develop the game,” added Martens.
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao praised FIFA’s programmes saying the world football governing body was walking the talk.
“We really want to thank FIFA for their commitment and investment in developing future technical leaders,” said Monyepao.
“The knowledge and insight that SAFA Technical Director (Steenbok) will gain from this experience will go a long way in building the long-term development strategy and sustainable high-performance programme for our football.”
The SAFA Technical Director said it was a huge honour to join a group of highly esteemed technical directors from around the world in this inaugural FIFA Leadership Diploma in Brazil.
Steenbok said: “Over the past few days, we explored the Brazilian culture, delved into the aspects of National Playing Identity, Strategic visioning, various case studies of member associations, observed the youth national team (Under-20) of Brazil, and learned a lot about leadership and team management from former Selecao coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.
“The interaction among different technical experts, presentations, and practical tasks makes this Technical Leadership Diploma an interesting and collaborative experience that will certainly help me as I embark on a journey to be a global football leader.”
What is a globally recognised qualification for Technical Leaders?
The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma is the first qualification of its kind and aims to become the ‘globally recognized qualification’ for Technical Leaders working in the game.
“Currently, there is no single award or accreditation that allows an individual to become a Technical Leader in a Member Association,” explains Jamie Houchen, FIFA’s Head of Technical Leadership.
“If a Member Association is looking to hire a Technical Leader, there is no benchmark for quality.
“We believe the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma will become the globally recognised qualification for Technical Leaders and produce the very highest quality of graduates to lead football around the world.”
Following the six-day workshop in Brazil, the 25 participants will begin their own personal project focused on their own unique context as well as following a programme of online learning.
The cohort will meet again for six days in Japan in December with two further face-to-face events to follow in 2024.
All 25 participants listed below received a personal invite to join the programme;
- RICARDO LEAO – BRAZIL FA
- AABED ALANSARI – BAHRAIN FA
- ROSS AWA – GUAM FA
- INDRA SJAFRI – INDONESIA FA
- BASSEM MOHAMAD – LEBANESE FA
- CARLES ROMAGOSA – THAILAND FA
- BHEKISISA BOY MKHONTA – ESWATINI FA
- BENJAMIN KUMWENDA – MALAWI FA
- JAQUELINE SHIPANGA – NAMIBIA FA
- WALTER STEENBOK – SOUTH AFRICAN FA
- ALI MWEBE – UGANDA FA
- LYSON ZULU – ZAMBIA FF
- IVÁN NOVELLA – COLOMBIAN FF
- ANTON CORNEAL – TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO FA
- LUIS CASTRO – ARGENTINE FA
- STIPE PLETIKOSA – CROATIA FF
- KAY COSSINGTON – ENGLISH FA
- JANNO KIVISILD – ESTONIAN FA
- MARIANS PAHARS – LATVIAN FF
- DIANA BULGARU – MOLDOVA FA
- ANDREW GOULD – SCOTTISH FA
- LILI BAI – ASIAN FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION
- JAYNE LUDLOW – MANCHESTER CITY – WOMEN
- PATRICIA GONZALEZ – FIFA
- BUMAN-UCHRAL BOLD – MONGOLIAN FF
*Original article: SAFA Technical Director completes first block of the prestigious FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma in Brazil | SAFA.net