LaLiga & Raul Gonzalez take centre stage at the world's largest coaching convention

LaLiga is enjoying a prominent role at the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) Convention, the world's largest annual event for football coaches. Nearly 10,000 coaches, industry professionals and football enthusiasts have travelled from across the 50 American states and a host of other countries to take their places at a coaching convention which is an annual fixture in the Stateside football calendar.

LaLiga's participation at the NSCAA Convention comes under the framework of the partnership agreement signed with US Club Soccer, a link-up which saw over 800 US-based coaches successfully complete the LaLiga Formation Methodology – Level 3 course during 2016.

Taking their places at the event are LaLiga's country manager for the United States, Raul Gonzalez; the institution's national and international sporting projects coordinator, Hugo Blanco; and Garikoitz Fullaondo, LaLiga's technical and methodological advisor.

LaLiga's first involvement saw Blanco offer a presentation on the sports projects which LaLiga is currently heading up around the globe, whilst he also showcased the training programmes for coaches which have been staged in Texas, California, Virginia, Chicago and New York. Meanwhile, Fullaondo revealed details about the Level 2 courses set to be rolled out during 2017.

In his address, Raul sought to highlight the importance of a quality training provision for coaches as a fundamental element in the game's development in the United States: "There's a learning process involved when it comes to playing football. Here in the States we're still a step away from getting children to appreciate that. Youngsters need to develop an understanding of the game, play in reduced spaces and live and breathe football 24 hours a day. There's a need for good programmes to be designed, which enable the kids to improve their game. If you want to be a good footballer, you've got to love the ball and have one with you at all times." During his participation at the convention, the LaLiga manager also broached the subject of the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi: "If I had to pick between Cristiano and Messi, I'd have to go for both of them. As a Madridista I'll go with Cristiano, but there's no question that Messi is also a very special player. The rivalry between them is healthy for the league and its entertainment value. LaLiga wouldn't be the same without them, just in the same way that a LaLiga campaign without Real Madrid or FC Barcelona would be inconceivable. Any sort of rivalry is always positive because it drives you on to improve".

Later that day, Raul was on hand to sign autographs at the LaLiga - US Club Soccer stand, with great numbers flocking to meet the former Madrid striker.

LaLiga's second and final participation at the convention will see Raul take part in a Q&A session, whilst Fullaondo and Blanco are set to lead a practical workshop for coaches.

LaLiga's attendance at this event confirms its commitment to the development of the game around the planet and the organisation's growing prominence in the United States, which is part of its international expansion efforts. The next LaLiga Formation Methodology course is set to take place from 3 to 5 February, with San Diego (California) the venue for the latest instalment of the programme.