Guam ascends to Silver level in AFC Grassroots Charter

[March 2, 2022 – Harmon, Guam] Guam Football Association elevated its Asian Football Confederation Grassroots Charter membership to Silver status following approval on the organization’s application by the AFC Grassroots Panel on Feb. 23, according to an official congratulatory letter from AFC.

Guam joins a handful of other countries already at the Silver level, including China, PR, Jordan, Philippines, Singapore, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The next – and highest – level is Gold. Countries that have achieved Gold status are Australia, Japan, and Korea Republic.

“On behalf of Guam Football Association, I’m very honored to receive the news that Guam is among many of the top countries in Asia earning Silver Membership Status as an AFC Grassroots Charter member,” said Valentino San Gil, GFA President. “Achieving Bronze Membership Status in AFC’s Grassroots Charter in 2018 was an accomplishment in itself, but it also fueled the drive by GFA Executives and staff to do even more for our community. This latest recognition is testament to our commitment to deliver opportunities for the local community to further increase participation in the sport and for overall development of our growing list of athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, and staff.

“I also would like to take this opportunity to recognize the new Grassroots and Social Responsibility Committee, one of the largest standing committees within GFA, with many of the most passionate community leaders now involved with football for community development. I look forward to the next phases in grassroots development and new successes for football in Guam over the next few years,” San Gil added.

The AFC Grassroots Charter “is an endorsement tool to support Member Associations in their roles of implementing grassroots programs and activities … that outlines 20 performance categories: Leadership, Planning, Structure, Staffing, Player Programs, Grassroots Competitions, Fair Play, Finance, Partnerships, Personal Development, Results, Women’s Projects, Social Schemes, Specific Areas, Promotional Activities, Member Association Events, Adult Education, Ambassadors, Communications, and Facilities,” according to the AFC Web site. While Bronze membership emphasizes participation, Silver membership focuses on an increased level of quality. Gold-Level members set the benchmark for grassroots development, the AFC Web site states.

Following Guam’s initial Bronze membership, GFA partnered with Special Olympics Guam to develop Unified Soccer in Guam, as well as implement a new program, Sensory Enrichment through Football Development Program (SEP). Annual youth tournaments have been included in GFA’s Competitions calendar to provide more opportunities for participation and development in addition to the Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Youth Soccer League twice yearly. Although the COVID19 pandemic suspended most of these programs in 2020, GFA has been working to re-start existing programs, while also introducing new programs. Existing programs are not only limited to youth events, but also include recreational events for women like the Docomo Pacific Soccer Moms League and the GFA Women’s Recreational League, as well as the Masters Division of the Budweiser Soccer League. New programs will include working directly with Guam’s elementary schools to introduce football either in its curriculum or as an after-school activity, among others. GFA also engages in many social responsibility activities to use football or resources from GFA for community development.

In January, GFA inducted its newest committee members, including the Grassroots and Social Responsibility Committee. Duane Pahl and George Lai are the committee’s chairperson and deputy chairperson, respectively. Members are Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon Mayor Louise Rivera, Brett Maluwelmeng, Aileen Artero, Camilo Lorenzo, Tammy Benavente, and committee secretary Samuel Sam Gil.

Currently, GFA is working to officially complete GFA’s Child Protection Policy and Guidelines for Safeguarding by the end of summer. As part of the charter requirements, GFA will be sending to AFC updates to its Grassroots Plan, as well as the progress of women’s football development and PowerUp Connect, GFA’s online registration system, by the first part of 2023.

GFA signed the AFC Declaration of Recognition of Grassroots Charter Silver Membership Status earlier this week. The declaration “accords the Guam Football Association the right to promote its Grassroots events and activities with the support and recognition of the AFC in accordance with the applicable terms of the AFC Grassroots Charter.” The AFC Grassroots Charter can be viewed online at https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/technical/grassroots.html