Youth Development ● Jun 01, 2016
Fast and attacking football is the way forward for Singapore
Written by: Shawn Lim
A “Singaporean style of play” will be the main focus of the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) newly-introduced development plan for 2016 and beyond, where fast and attacking football will be the ultimate system that all Singapore age-group teams adopt.
The plan was unveiled by FAS technical director Michel Sablon in a presentation to the media, as well as FAS president Zainudin Nordin, Coach of the National Team V. Sundram Moorthy, National Youth Teams Head Coach Richard Tardy, grassroots coaches and S.League coaches on Monday morning.
The presentation, held at Fullerton Hotel, described 11 key components including coaching education, holistic development for players, talent spotting for coaches, as well as recommending an attacking 4-3-3 formation for youth to professional level teams.
Sablon also revealed that there are plans to establish a new FAS Coach Education School and organise multiple AFC and FIFA workshops to help with coach education, as well as revamp the format of school competitions and Junior Centres of Excellence so that technical skills will take priority.
The Belgian also expressed his delight that stakeholders like the People’s Association, Singapore Sports School, ActiveSG, the Health Promotion Board and the Ministry of Education are already on board with the plan, but is keen for more organisations to be involved in the project.
Both coaches and club officials were impressed with the new plans and shared their excitement at seeing the proposed ideas and changes taking shape over the next few years.
“It was an extremely detailed and well thought out plan which not only appeared to have covered the important aspects, but also had a simplicity to the execution methodology,” said Tampines Rovers FC chairman Krishna Ramachandra.
“We are blessed to have a visionary like Mr Sablon who is able to distill the complexities into workable strategies.”
For Warriors FC general manager Paul Poh, the development plan makes it simpler and easier for clubs to adopt and implement the policies. He also stated that the club is eager for the plan to be executed.
‚ÄúIt is definitely a good and well-thought-out plan with a long-term vision. It helps us at Warriors Football Club to align the direction of our football development plans along with the national plan.”
