Clubs' youth development programme in the spotlight

Source

by Ian De Cotta
Apr 06, 2011 SINGAPORE - The announcement of a funding boost for S-League clubs on Monday was universally cheered by the fraternity.

If the Football Association of Singapore's (FAS) ongoing negotiations with potential sponsors bear fruit, then the youth development programme at each club will receive an even bigger boost.

FAS deputy director for competitions and marketing, Ridzal Saat, told MediaCorp yesterday his team are looking at signing on sponsors to help clubs defray costs like equipment and the rental of pitches for their centres of excellence (COEs), a programme for the development of players at under-14, under-16 and under-18 level. "Clubs previously had to pay for equipment and fields out of their operating budget and it constituted a substantial amount over a calendar year," said Ridzal, formerly the head of rugby at SingaporeRugby.

"We have spoken to around 30 companies already to explore a potential tie-up. If we are successful, the savings will help clubs invest more in developing young talent."

On Monday, the FAS revealed each of the nine local clubs will receive S$110,000 for their respective COEs, which must be up and running next month.

Only five clubs - SAFFC, Home United, Tampines, Geylang and Woodlands - have been running COEs, and Gombak, Hougang, Tanjong Pagar and Balestier will now follow.

While the under-16 and under-18 leagues for COEs will continue, the FAS will resurrect the under-14 tournament in September.

Ridzal said: "Once all the COEs are fully functioning, we will start tournaments from under-8 onwards within the next two to three years. This is part of the FAS plan to expand the talent pool for Singapore football to feed our national squads."

FAS' competition and marketing team believe a strategy akin to the one employed by the Courts Young Lions - offering a match day experience - will help woo sponsors.

"Instead of just having sponsors' logos displayed, we will offer them an execution of events for their sponsorship," said FAS business development manager, Rikram Jit Singh.