ACAC Coaches Elevate Futsal Expertise with International Training in Portugal
Edmonton, AB (May 30, 2024) - Thirty Canadian coaches, with three hailing from the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), embarked on a journey to Lisbon, Portugal, to engage in an exclusive futsal course led by Canada Soccer, Futsal Canada, and the Portuguese Football Federation. This collaborative effort sought to raise the bar for coaching standards and propel the expansion of futsal nationwide by tapping into the expertise of global leaders in the field.
Among the 30 Canadian coaches were the ACAC's own Adam Monkman, head coach of the Ambrose Lions Men's Soccer and Futsal; Thiago Silva, head coach of the Concordia Thunder Men's Soccer; and Malorie Hanson, a student-athlete of the Lethbridge Kodiaks Women's Soccer and Futsal. They were selected to partake in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
At the helm of the course was Jorge Braz, a globally renowned futsal coach and Technical Director. With an illustrious record as the reigning FIFA Futsal World Cup Champion, two-time UEFA Futsal Euro Champion, and five-time consecutive recipient of the Best Men's National Team Coach in the World, Braz brought unparalleled expertise and insight to the program.
Thiago Silva of the Concordia Thunder reflected on his experience, saying, "It was a unique and definitely once-in-a-lifetime experience at one of the best futsal schools in the world. We brainstormed and shared ideas among 30 coaches from across Canada with the same level of passion and commitment to one goal – to develop the game of Futsal in Canada." Silva learned many things that he is excited to bring back to his ACAC roots, emphasizing the importance of doing the simple things well. "All the futsal knowledge shared by the current best futsal coach in the world, Jorge Braz, is definitely the biggest takeaway, making sure that at this level the simple things are done well."
Thiago Silva
Adam Monkman with the Ambrose Lions said, "Anytime you have the opportunity to learn from the best in the world you can't help but be inspired. I was reminded that Alberta is a leader for futsal in our country. We have 2 strong leagues for adults in Calgary and Edmonton, and we have one of the first and largest collegiate futsal leagues in North America in ACAC. When it comes to our program at Ambrose, there is no shortcut to long-term success. Focus on the fundamentals, be disciplined, and work hard for the vision and results you're committed to. As Jorge Braz would say, "It's simple". To be a coach is to serve who we coach."
Adam Monkman, Middle
Malorie Hanson from the Lethbridge Kodiaks, one of only three females in the entire class, shared her excitement about the opportunity, stating, "I want to help female athletes have more opportunity and involvement in futsal, and I recognize that equipping myself with education and connections is an essential step in this."
This past year, Hanson battled an injury that ended her soccer season. She turned that hardship into an opportunity by transitioning to a student-coach for the futsal season. This was her first time coaching adults in a team format. Although the transition from athlete to coach was challenging, her friends and teammates made it easier and helped her gain confidence. Hanson helped coach the team to a silver medal at the 2024 ACAC Futsal Championships held in Three Hills, Alta.
"This course has been so educational and the extent of knowledge that has been imparted to us is extensive," says Hanson. "We learned about the importance of sport psychology, technical and tactical aspects of futsal. I think that taking this course will not only help me become a more competent coach, but also a much better player, and I look forward to using the information that I learned in my own training in the future."
Malorie Hanson & Jorge Braz
In summary, our ACAC representatives gained invaluable knowledge and experiences that they are eager to bring back to our conference and country. The ACAC's vision is to be Canada's premier collegiate athletic conference by developing and inspiring leadership through excellence in academics, sport, and citizenship. Thiago, Adam, and Malorie have exemplified this vision by furthering their education in futsal and by developing student-athletes and coaches right here at home.
Congratulations, coaches!
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Blacquiere, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca