IN FOCUS: What does Singapore football need to raise its game?

SINGAPORE: Under the watchful eye of instructors, the teenagers are put through their paces.

Some take on the sprint station, where timing gates with light beams help capture information such as top speed and acceleration. 

Others leap through the air to flick vanes and record scores, as part of a vertical jump test to assess their lower limb power. There is also an agility test to measure one’s ability to change direction.

Information is collected, data will be analysed and adjustments made.

As the klaxon of the lightning warning system sounds, the boys reluctantly stop what they're doing to seek shelter.

Their training will have to wait for another day, but one of Singapore’s newest initiatives to grow football is well underway at Assumption English School.

As one of the ten pilot schools under the School Football Academy (SFA) programme, the last two months have seen a change for Assumption English School's footballers.

“It has made me improve my footballing skills and I really enjoy it,” secondary 2 student Ethan Dorett told CNA.

And for those who dream of a career in professional football, the new programme has been beneficial.

“I was over the moon when I heard that national coaches would be coming to coach us,” said secondary 4 student Valerio Ong.

“Coaches here will definitely help us increase our knowledge and will definitely help me reach the level where I can play in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).”

THE NEED FOR ‘LIFE COACHES’

A sport long under the microscope in Singapore, a new phase could be beckoning for local football.

Against the backdrop of last year’s brave AFF Suzuki Cup campaign, with Singapore making it to the semi-final, an ambitious project called Unleash the Roar (UTR) is now underway.

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