To continue efforts to further develop youth football in the country, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has named Japanese coach Tetsuya Tsuchida as the PFF’s new Head of Youth Development.
Coach Tsuchida is highly recommended by the Japan Football Association (JFA, which has an existing collaboration with PFF on the subject of youth development. He has 23 years of extensive experience on youth academy development and talent identification, including those with J-League club Kashima Antlers. He has also overseen the development of several Japanese talents, who have represented Japan in international competitions.
“It is a great opportunity to work in a developing football country that has a promising youth setup,” said Tsuchida. “I look forward to working with everyone in the PFF to continue foster youth football development in the country.”
A JFA ‘A’ coaching license holder, he had served as coaching instructor for JFA ‘C’ and ‘B’ license from 2016 until 2021 and has contributed to the coaching education of youth coaches in Japan.
Coach Tetsuya will work with the Technical Department in continuing the project of former Head of Youth Development Reiji Hirata, who recently has been reappointed in a different capacity by JFA. Among the youth development initiatives already implemented are the Training Areas of Development (TAD) programme and the Talent Development Scheme.”
“We welcome Coach Tetsuya Tsuchida as the new Head of Youth Development,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “We intend to cooperate with Coach Tetsuya as he continues the efforts done by Coach Reiji Hirata in implementing the Training Areas of Development (TAD) program, as well as the Talent Development Scheme to further bolster the development of youth football in the country.”
Prior to his appointment, Coach Tsuchida served as Academy Director of Uzbekistan Football Association, where he has set the groundwork for coach education, player development, and academy system.