Canadian Coaches complete Futsal Coach Training through Portuguese Football Federation

Historic partnership in Canadian futsal coaching development.

A group of 28 coaches representing eight provinces and territories participated in the Portuguese Football Federation’s Level 1 Futsal Coaching Licence in partnership with the PFF and Futsal Canada. The workshop was delivered in Lisbon, Portugal from 6-19 May 2024 and overseen by world renowned futsal coach, Jorge Braz, who was recently named the winner of the Best Men’s National Team Coach in the World for the fifth consecutive year. Portuguese superstar and 2022 Futsal Planet Men’s Player of the Year, Pany Varela, also came in to speak with the coaches and share his experiences. Coaches followed the in class and on court, futsal-specific, training from the PFF’s UEFA C Futsal Licence and were welcomed as guests to gain insight into the passionate culture and high quality of futsal in Portugal by observing exciting playoff matches from the Portuguese Men’s league (Liga Placard), Women’s league (Liga Feminina Placard), and youth matches.

“Canada Soccer is thankful to the Portuguese Football Federation and Futsal Canada for the opportunity to expose Canadian coaches to this level of coach education and training,” said Dave Nutt Interim Director of Development. “We hope that this is the start of an ongoing partnership. By working with the current World and European Champions, we are exposing our coaches to some of the top coaches and coach educators in the world, which will be massive to the growth of futsal in Canada.”

Canada Soccer would like to congratulate the following coaches for their participation in the workshop:

Said Arwo, Ontario

Esther Bylsma, Alberta

Nicole Carvalho, Ontario

Nick Dasovic, British Columbia

Alvaro de Almeida, British Columbia

Matthew Ferreira, Ontario

Junior Figueiredo, Alberta

Tony Fonseca, Ontario

Daniel Fournier, Québec

Malorie Hanson, Yukon

Volodymyr Ievets, New Brunswick