26 Jan GFA hosts 2026 FIFA Talent Identification Workshop for youth coaches
[January 25, 2026 – Harmon, Guam] As part of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, Guam Football Association played host to a FIFA/GFA Talent Identification Workshop with FIFA Talent Development Scheme lead Eric Abrams at the GFA National Training Center Jan. 22-25.
According to the FIFA Web site, “motivated and talented male and female footballers should all get the chance to be scouted, identified, and developed, regardless of where they are from, when they were born, or their social or economic background.”
Three of the main objectives of talent identification through the FIFA Talent Development Scheme are:
• Implement a structured system for identifying talented young boys and girls at every stage of the pathway across all regions
• Ensure that talents are not overlooked because of their date of birth or their maturation
• Provide accredited training courses for the education of scouts and talent ID staff
Over a dozen coaches took part in the 2026 FIFA/GFA Talent Identification Workshop, representing clubs, schools, and the GFA National Program.
Participating coaches were Ralph Awa, Jeroen Bos, Gabriel Dixon, Sean Halehale, Ip Yik Wing, Ghada Jurdi, Ethan Lemapu, George Ovalle, Ryan Quitugua, Kimberly Sherman, Aaron Sumbang, Micah Tavarez, and Danalen Tydingco.
At the conclusion of the workshop, certificates were presented to coaches by Abrams and GFA President Valentino San Gil.
Over a dozen club, school, and GFA National Academy coaches took part in the 2026 FIFA/GFA Talent Identification Workshop with visiting FIFA Talent Development Scheme Lead Eric Abrams. In the photo are, seated from left to right: Ghada Jurdi, Manfred Preschern, Ross Awa, Eric Abrams, Ryan Lazaroe, Danalen Tydingco, and Kimberly Sherman. Standing, from left to right, are: Aaron Sumbang, Jeroen Bos, George Ovalle, Ethan Lemapu, Ralph Awa, Micah Tavarez, Sean Halehale, Gabriel Dixon, and Ryan Quitugua. Not in the photo is Ip Yik Wing.
Guam Football Association President Valentino San Gil addresses the coaches taking part in the FIFA/GFA Talent Identification Workshop led by visiting FIFA Talent Development Scheme Lead Eric Abrams at the GFA National Training Center Jan. 22-25. San Gil presented all participants with certificates. Photo by Samantha Bautista / GFA
Visiting FIFA Talent Development Scheme Lead Eric Abrams helps facilitate a group discussion with coaches taking part in the FIFA/GFA Talent Identification Workshop at the Guam Football Association National Training Center Jan. 22-25.
Visiting FIFA Talent Development Scheme Lead Eric Abrams addresses players from both the Bishop Baumgartner Memorial Catholic School Obispos and Luis P. Untalan Middle School Wildcats following a training match as part of a talent identification exercise in the FIFA/GFA Talent Identification Workshop at the Guam Football Association National Training Center Jan. 22-25. Photo by Samantha Bautista / GFA