PFF, PSC launch first AFC Pro coaching course

The Philippine Football Federation, with support from the Philippine Sports Commission, has launched the country’s first AFC Pro Diploma Coaching Course, marking a milestone in the professionalization of football coaching in the Philippines.

The yearlong program has enrolled 18 coaches, including 13 Filipinos and five foreign nationals.

The inaugural module opened July 22 and runs through July 26 at the PSC Media Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

The course is divided into multiple residential modules spread across nearly a year.

The AFC Pro Diploma is the highest coaching qualification offered by the Asian Football Confederation.

Veteran instructor and former national team head coach Stewart Hall is overseeing the program.

The course prepares coaches to handle professional clubs and national teams through advanced instruction in leadership, tactical analysis, high-performance management, sports science integration, and modern club management.

PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez and PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio met with the participants on the third day of the opening module July 24.

Their visit highlighted the program’s significance to the long-term development of Philippine football.

“For more than a century since the Philippine Football Federation was established in 1907, we have never hosted an AFC Pro Diploma Coaching Course,” Gutierrez said.

“We have only produced two Filipino pro licensed coaches, and they both had to earn their qualifications abroad. Today, we finally change that.”

Gutierrez described the course as one of the federation’s most significant investments in coaching education.

He said improving the quality of coaches is essential to raising standards at every level of Philippine football.

“In line with the PSC’s initiative to professionalize coaching across all sports, the PFF is proud to finally bring the AFC Pro Diploma to the Philippines. We hope this is only the first of many.”

The AFC Pro Diploma is reserved for experienced coaches who hold an AFC “A” Diploma and are actively working at the professional or elite level.

Participants must complete demanding theoretical and practical assessments.

The program also includes club management projects and international exposure designed to prepare coaches for the demands of top-level Asian football.

Gregorio reaffirmed the PSC’s commitment to supporting the continued growth of football in the country.

He said sustained investment in coaching is necessary to produce better players and stronger national teams.

“I believe Filipinos can excel in football,” Gregorio said.

“But we have to invest. We have to become more serious and continue building partnerships with FIFA and the PFF. Once we have football fields all over the country, we also need good coaches, good referees and technical officials. Everything starts with the coach.”

Gregorio cited his experience in strengthening Philippine archery through the hiring of a world-class professional coach this year.

He said the move demonstrated the transformative role coaches can play in athlete development.

“That is why I believe in this program,” he added.

“If you teach athletes the right way, they will succeed. I fully support Philippine football because I know we can become much better with great coaches leading the way.”

The pioneering batch includes coaches and technical leaders from professional clubs, regional football associations, universities, and the PFF’s technical departments.

The group’s composition reflects a nationwide effort to improve coaching standards across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

University of Santo Tomas football director and PFF tutor Marjo Allado said the program could encourage more Filipino coaches to pursue the highest coaching qualification.

“It is a great honor to represent UST and the UAAP football community,” Allado said.

“As more Filipino coaches earn the AFC Pro Diploma, we can help improve football not only in the professional game but also in the provinces.”

Manila Digger head coach Kim Versales described the program as an opportunity to modernize coaching throughout the country.

Versales guided the reigning Philippines Football League champion and AFC Challenge League semifinalist.

“This helps all coaches move Philippine football forward,” Versales said.

“The knowledge we gain here will not stay with us—we can share it with coaches and young players throughout the grassroots football community.”

Dynamic Herb Cebu FC head coach Tomasito Glenn Ramos called the launch of the course a long-awaited achievement for Filipino coaches.

Ramos coached Cebu to a historic ASEAN Club Championship appearance last year.

“This is our dream,” Ramos said.

“The more Pro Diploma coaches we produce, the more quality players we can develop for our clubs and national teams. Everything we learn here will eventually benefit football throughout the Philippines.”

Central Luzon Football Association technical director and PFF tutor Mark Anthony Francisco said the program would help align Philippine coaching standards with international demands.

“It is both an honor and a big responsibility to be part of the first course,” Francisco said.

“Football continues to evolve, and coaches must continue learning. This [course] will create more opportunities for Filipino coaches here and abroad while strengthening the professional game.”

PFF Mindanao technical development officer Albert Ryan “Abing” Lim described the program as a major step toward the federation’s long-term goals.

“It has always been a dream for Filipino coaches to have the Pro Diploma here in the Philippines. As we produce more Pro Diploma coaches, we will also produce more quality players who can represent our national teams in the future.”

The inaugural class consists of 18 participants representing football organizations from Luzon, the Visayas, Mindanao, and overseas:

John Carmona represents the Negros Occidental Regional Football Association.

Albert Ryan Lim serves as the PFF Mindanao technical director and is based in Davao.

Aris Bocalan is the PFF coaching education coordinator from the Cordillera region.

Bob Salvacion is the PFF grassroots development head.

Randolfo Paolo Clarino represents the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Dan Padernal and David Javellana represent the National Capital Region Football Association.

Erniest Nieras represents Stallion Laguna.

Tomasito Glenn Ramos represents Cebu FC and the Cebu Regional Football Association.

John Martin Ferrer represents the Cebu Regional Football Association.

Kim Versales represents Manila Digger and Masbate.

Marjo Allado represents the UST Growling Tigers.

Mark Anthony Francisco represents the Central Luzon Football Association.

Moon Hong of South Korea represents Maharlika FC.

Bobae Park of South Korea represents Kaya FC.

Stuart Kelly represents Football Australia.

Taketomo Suzuki of Japan represents Tuloy FC.

Tetsuya Tsuchida of Japan is the PFF youth development head.

With the first AFC Pro Diploma Coaching Course underway, the PFF is seeking to develop more highly qualified coaches who can strengthen professional clubs, regional football associations, and national teams.

The initiative also supports the federation’s broader goal of ensuring that football development is driven not only by improved facilities and competitions, but also by world-class coaching expertise. (PFF)