SINGAPORE, 30 AUGUST 2018: The FAS-Singapore Pools Inter-School Futsal Challenge (ISFC) 2018 concluded today at Our Tampines Hub with Bartley Secondary winning the inaugural Under-14 ISFC trophy after a thrilling match against Whitley Secondary that ended 3-0.

 

Bartley Secondary coach Gareth Chan said: “We actually did poorly in the National C Division football competition, so this win is truly a reward for the boys for the hard work, commitment and dedication that they have put in through the past few months. It is great that the FAS is providing the schools with another platform to play football with quality opponents and give the boys something to look forward to.”

 

Earlier in the day, Bendemeer claimed the second runner-up spot after a 3-1 win over Hougang Secondary. However, Hougang Secondary still had something to cheer about as it was the first time the school has made it through to the semi-finals of a football-related competition.

 

Hougang Secondary coach Nor Azli said: “I’m very proud of the boys. Such competitions give them the opportunity to gain more exposure and improve their skills. Our thanks to the FAS and Singapore Pools for making this tournament possible.”

 

FAS Deputy Director, General Secretary’s Office Gerard Christopher said: “I would count this year as a success as we had close to 80 schools take part in both Under-10 and Under-14 tournaments. There’s much to learn in order to improve things moving forward but I think we’ve hit a good spot with the schools.

 

“You look at the finals of the Under-14 category, we had Bartley and Whitley Secondary Schools, traditionally schools that don’t progress very far in the B and C Divisions. For them to be in the finals, I think it speaks volumes about the excitement and enthusiasm coming from the schools in taking up futsal.”

 

The Under-14 edition of the ISFC saw 40 teams from 35 participating schools competing for the title over two weeks. The U14 tournament comes on the back of the Under-10 ISFC, which successfully concluded last month.

 

The keenly-contested tournament ended with Woodlands Ring Primary School claiming the title after a 2-1 victory over White Sands Primary School, while Yangzheng Primary School took third place.

 

In line with the FAS’s objectives of developing youth players and increasing participation at the grassroots level, the ISFC is Singapore’s largest school futsal tournament organised for the U-10 and U-14 age-groups and is supported by Singapore Pools and the Ministry of Education.

 

 

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE