Yutaka Miyake, the Chair of Softball Asia Coaching Committee and the Vice President of Japan Softball, expressed his satisfaction for the WBSC Asia Softball Certification Seminar Certification Seminar organised by the Continental Association in January in Malaysia.
"We made an important step forward," commented Miyake. "Our goal is to have a proper coaching system in place for coaches to reach the highest level in softball coaching."
A total of 68 coaches attended, 44 of the from Malaysia and 20 from other countries in the Region: Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Thailand.
After the course, 42 coaches got a Level 1 certification and 23 qualified for Level 2.
Miyake was one of the instructors, together with WBSC Coaching Commission Members Andrea D'Auria and Kyla Holas, the Japan Softball Association Instructor Hirotaka Kadomatsu and the head coach of Nippon Sport Science University Subaru Takahashi.
"Softball is supposed to be a sport that everyone can play," commented Yutaka Miyake. "In Japan, we do have softball in Physical Education classes, so children get started at a very young age. What I would recommend at the grassroots level is to use rubber balls, softer than the yellow balls we use in competition."
And for coaches, Miyake said having fun is an important part of learning. "At the grassroots level, you don't need to pursue high skill levels. First, you should start learning the rules by having fun. Softball will really grow if it becomes a game that many people really enjoy to play. Talent is needed to develop top softball players, but I don't think softball developing countries should focus only on instructing a few National Team players."
