FIFA support of elite youth development to be maximized through talent program

[January 1, 2025 – Harmon, Guam] In an effort to further support elite youth player development, Guam Football Association is fully committed to maximizing technical and financial assistance from FIFA through its FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) and Talent Coach project.

Guam was part of the first batch of FIFA Member Associations to receive approval in its funding request through the FIFA TDS in 2022, initially to support youth clubs in creating better and sustainable environments for the development of elite youth players through the implementation of strategic plans and the appointment of club technical directors. GFA later was approved for additional funding to include the placement of a FIFA Talent Coach in Guam.

“The FIFA Talent Development Scheme program will greatly enhance Guam Football Association’s National Academy, supported by the FIFA and Talent Coach,” said Ross Awa, Guam Football Association Technical Director. “This initiative will support the GFA in ‘finding-training-and-playing’ the young potential football talents on the boys’ and girls’ side and ensure the players are training in a high-performance environment, allowing them to reach their full potential and naturally progress to represent the Guam National Teams in international competitions.”

FIFA Talent Coach Philip Neiland observes an Interscholastic Boys High School Football League match in this file photo. Neiland was appointed by FIFA to take on the FIFA Talent Coach role for two years beginning Nov. 2024 as part of its FIFA Talent Development Scheme and Talent Coach project.

FIFA Talent Coach Philip Neiland was appointed to Guam beginning November 2024 for two years to support GFA’s coaches in all aspects of elite youth talent development: identification of talents, training the talents, creating playing opportunities for talents, and the transition of talents to senior football in a tailor-made approach conducive to Guam’s current football landscape.

“It’s great to be working toward the long-term objective of creating a sustainable legacy for talent development and to be contributing to the development ecosystem envisioned by Arsène Wenger,” said Neiland, who arrived in Guam in November. “FIFA’s main goal is to make football more competitive globally by giving every talent a chance. As a FIFA Talent Coach, I’m passionate about this goal and will give my all to contribute toward it and for the people of Guam.”

Neiland, who briefly observed and analyzed youth football during the Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Youth League and the Interscholastic Boys High School Football League, will also be supporting GFA coaches in its national academy program and with elite youth players matriculating into Guam’s Youth National Program.

“It is paramount to work together with all the elite coaches and technical supporting staff within the Guam Football Association to establish best-practice training environments for talented players, both female and male, of Guam,” Neiland said. “I will work tirelessly to collaborate and co-create with the GFA staff and the vast support team within the FIFA TDS program to nurture players with the potential to excel on the international stage and to achieve the honor of representing the country of Guam at the highest level.”

The main goal of the FIFA TDS and Talent Coach project is to support GFA in becoming more competitive on the international stage with a dedicated long-term strategic plan, creating sustainability in the GFA elite youth development ecosystem.

In March this year, FIFA selected Qatar and Morocco to host the FIFA U17 World Cup™ and FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup™ beginning in 2025, respectively, for five years. The tournaments now will be held on an annual basis and the competition has expanded to 48 teams for the FIFA U17 World Cup™ and 24 teams for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup™ which will give more young talents an opportunity to shine on the world stage. Previously, the tournaments were held every two years with a fewer number of teams from each of FIFA’s confederations.

A newly structured GFA National Academy program will be implemented in 2025, with more details to be announced the GFA Technical Department.