Finally rolled out after getting stalled by the pandemic, the Philippine Football Federation’s grassroots and youth development programs made huge strides in 2023 that culminated with the launch of FIFA Football For Schools program.
The Regional Football Association (RFA) Festival of Football returned in full swing with 27 PFF RFAs and seven (7) New Frontier Areas luring 8,357 players (5,907 boys and 2,450 girls) aged 12-16 in different competitions.
The RFA FOFs were the precursor to the Regional Festival of Football (RFOF) which were held from August-October 2023 in nine (9) Regional FOF Clusters and was participated by 30 RFAs and 8 New Frontier Areas totaling to 2,240 players (1,200 boys and 1,040 girls).
The grassroots activities will only get bigger next year as the PFF launched the launch of the FIFA Football for Schools Programme in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Education.
The program aims to heighten awareness and showcase the benefit of football and education, through training and teaching of life skills.
Over 500 participants attended the launch which was graced by FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
The Youth Development also gained ground with the launch of the PFF Center of Excellence (COE) last April 2023. The COE, is conducted in tandem with the Training Areas of Development which are under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme to scout for up and coming talents from all over the country.
The Center of Excellence sessions were held regularly from July to November 2023 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite, Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila with 77 players under the program.
Also in the program are 95 players who train at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay, Cebu.
PFF president John Gutierrez hopes to build on the PFF’s Grassroots and Youth Development programs over the course of his presidency.
“We continue to put emphasis on finding the next generation of footballing talents heading in to the new year,” said Gutierrez. “The PFF’s grassroots and youth development initiatives will be strengthened to pave the way for an improved talent pool of players, where local competitions as well as national teams will benefit from.”
