CARMONA, Cavite — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) continues to accelerate its nationwide coaching development program after successfully staging the AFC/PFF ‘A’ Diploma Coaching Course Part 2 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite from January 5 to 17, 2026.
The course forms a critical pillar of the Federation’s technical strategy, as PFF targets the production of at least 12 Filipino AFC Pro License coaches by the end of the year.
The AFC ‘A’ Diploma is the penultimate qualification in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) coaching pathway, serving as the final step before coaches progress to the elite Pro License level.
“This course is a key part of our deliberate ramp-up of coaching education in the Philippines,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez. “If we want our national teams, clubs, and youth programs to improve sustainably, we must first raise the standard of coaching. The AFC ‘A’ Diploma prepares coaches for the realities of elite youth and semi-professional football, and it is the bridge toward Pro License education.”
The AFC ‘A’ Diploma is an advanced 30-day (180-hour) coaching program designed for coaches handling elite youth players aged 17 to 21, amateur teams, and semi-professional football environments. Entry requires an active AFC ‘B’ Diploma, at least one to two years of coaching experience post-certification, and a minimum age of 18.
The curriculum emphasizes advanced tactical and technical development, team organization, match analysis, leadership and staff management, as well as the physiological and psychological needs of players. Assessment includes practical coaching evaluations, theoretical examinations, and a final project or dissertation.
The course was led by a highly experienced instructional panel, combining international and local expertise:
Instructors
- Stewart Hall (England)
- Ariston Bocalan
- Kim Versales
- Mark Francisco
A total of 17 coaches participated in the course, reflecting PFF’s growing reputation as a regional hub for high-level coaching education. Notably, the coaches included foreign nationals from established football nations, as well as a female coach from the Northern Mariana Islands, underscoring the inclusivity and international credibility of PFF-led programs.
Participants
- Fitch Florence Peter B. Arboleda
- Samuel Bonney (Ghana)
- John M. Cortes
- Marvin Lois R. Dava
- Mae Angelie R. Ito (Northern Mariana Islands)
- Kim Young-Kwang (South Korea)
- Tobias Lederer (Germany)
- Robert Nicart
- Matthew Erwin Thomas D. Nierras
- Mike Daniel A. Riconalla
- Jun Mark A. Saraga
- James Sasiadek (United States)
- Ruel C. Sasuman
- David Mark S. Basa
- Jeffrey De Castro
- Ed Merill Walohan
- Arman Valencia
“The presence of coaches from Germany, South Korea, Ghana, and the United States—alongside Filipino coaches—shows that the Philippines is now seen as a viable and credible venue for world-class coaching education,” Gutierrez said. “This is the result of sustained investment in conducive infrastructure, instructor development, and alignment with AFC and FIFA standards.”
Gutierrez also highlighted the significance of female participation in the course. “Having a woman coach in the AFC ‘A’ Diploma reflects the direction we want to take—football education that is open, progressive, and accessible. Coaching excellence knows no gender or nationality.”
With the AFC ‘A’ Diploma serving as the final gateway before Pro License education, PFF views the course as another concrete step toward building a deep pool of highly qualified coaches capable of driving performance at club, grassroots, and national team levels.
“This is how we build the future of Philippine football,” Gutierrez said. “By empowering coaches with the highest level of knowledge, leadership, and technical competence, we ensure that every level of the game benefits for years to come.”
