SFA coaches Sevki Shaban (left), Muhammad Asraf Abdul Rashid and Haris Sumri (right) strike a winning pose with the North 2 Cluster girls – a promising group of talents from six different schools.
Laughter fills the air, followed by a quick and lively chatter. The girls are sweeping in for football practice at Yishun Secondary School. It is as if they have been friends for a long time. But what’s fascinating is that this C Division girls’ cluster team hails from six different schools - showing that sport truly does unite all.
The all-girls North 2 (N2) Cluster initiative was formed last year when students from Yishun Secondary, Naval Base Secondary, Northland Secondary, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, Yishun Town Secondary and Chung Cheng High School were invited to train together. As the only school currently to offer football for both girls and boys under the School Football Academy (SFA) programme, Yishun Secondary is uniquely positioned to set an example for others.
Navigating diverse backgrounds, skills and ambitions
How can coaches make every training session productive? How do we cultivate a shared identity? And how can we juggle the extra workload of planning different programmes for different teams? These questions are often on the minds of the SFA coaches Haris Sumri, Sevki Shaban, and Muhammad Asraf Abdul Rashid as they juggle one combined girls’ team and two boys' teams (B and C divisions) at Yishun.
To this end, the SFA’s collective approach to coaching education proved to be invaluable.
Part of this approach is in the form of weekly sessions led by Philippe Aw, Programme Head for UTR!, keeping the coaches updated on the latest methodologies and training techniques. Exchanging tips and information with the SFA coaching community has also allowed them to gain insights into better catering to the needs of their diverse boys’ and girls’ teams.
The three SFA coaches pride themselves on building a safe and structured environment for the student-athletes, inculcating the right mindset to take their football training seriously.
Asraf, an ex-S-League player, said that the SFA provides stability and a unified direction. The focus is on achievable goals and how to bring out the best in students, even those with wide-ranging abilities.
Head coach Haris, also a former professional footballer, highlighted the importance of tailored training sessions.
“There’s a good mix of cultures and that helps the players to toughen one another up, while also supporting each other in ways they may not have expected,” he explained.
For Sevki, a former Singapore international, coaching is an opportunity to focus on values. He emphasised that their combined approach unites the student-athletes by prioritising lifelong skills.
Coaching the girls’ cluster team
For coaches used to working with boys, adapting their styles to reach and create positive ripples among the N2 cluster has been eye-opening to say the least.
Meeting thrice-weekly for 1.5 hour-long training sessions, the cluster girls’ team maximises this time honing their football skills and learning from each other.
“With the girls, I try to keep things light-hearted at first to ease them into training,” shared Sevki, who learnt first-hand about how to coach female footballers from helping his daughter, who also plays football.
“I find ways to make them feel comfortable and encourage them to make mistakes because that’s how they learn.”
Haris echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the unique challenges of coaching girls, reiterating the need for added empathy. “Coaching the girls’ team is a completely different experience, but we’re learning as much as they are,” he added.
For any real bonding to take place, time spent outside of football practice is a must. Think escape room outings and fun games. It’s a good thing that the efforts of their coaches are not lost on the girls. They do recognise their mentors’ hard work.
“We don’t see each other every week so it’s difficult to bond. But the coaches and teachers have tried to organise meetups for us outside,” shared Faith Koh, from Singapore Chinese Girls’ School.
The C Division girls also participate in bonding activities outside of training, designed to bring them closer and increase team morale and camaraderie.
A robust, nurturing support system
Teamwork makes the dream work. In this scenario, truer words have never been spoken. Communication cuts across schools and departments, between SFA coaches, parents, teachers-in-charge and subject tutors. All in the name of ensuring that Yishun Secondary’s student-athletes are getting a fulfilling SFA experience.
“Football is important, but so is discipline in the classroom,” said Mr Toh Wen Yi, Yishun Secondary’s football teacher-in-charge. He leads the initiative for the girls’ cluster team and has overseen the boys’ teams for years. “This is why it is important for everyone to work with each other, across different schools and within departments.”
Mr A Murugapa, a football CCA teacher at Yishun Secondary, added that during the regular parent-teacher meetings, teachers would not only provide academic feedback, but also update parents on their child’s progress in football. He noted the positive impacts this has had on the student-athletes – not only are they getting along and behaving better, but they are also paying more attention in classes.
Unconditional guidance beyond the pitch
Any coach worth their weight in gold will tell you this, that the job comes with managing other aspects of the game. The coaches often find themselves stepping into roles bridging school and home life.
Haris said: “It’s not just about football. Some kids come to us with problems from home or school, and we try to support them as best as we can.”
MAJULAH YISHUN! The B Division football boys show great unity and friendship as they assemble to perform an impromptu cheer for their school.
A bittersweet smile creeps across Sevki’s face as he recalls a player who had to juggle training and helping his mother financially. The coaches created an environment where the boy could feel safe and welcomed, even if he could not make it for training all the time.
On another occasion, one of Asraf’s C Division players opened up to him about missing practice due to family issues and commitments. “I worked with him to plan his time, sleep schedule and attendance. We also discussed the values of ownership and responsibility. His attitude to school and football improved greatly after that,” Asraf beamed.
“They see us as brothers, fathers and friends,” Haris added. “But once we’re on the field, they know it’s serious. We keep an open line of communication off the field, which has helped their growth and development.”
Goals on and off the field
Despite the varying dynamics of mixed school teams, the aim of the SFA programme is, ultimately, to instil resilience, respect and determination in young players.
Results are showing. This is the second year that the SFA Yishun Secondary boys’ team is competing in the National School Games (NSG).
Mr Toh Wen Yi (left) joins the SFA coaches for a snapshot with the C Division boys’ team, who made it into the semi-finals in the recent NSG, unlocking a new milestone by advancing to League 4.
“Our C Division boys were in League 4 semi-finals last year, the furthest they have advanced. The girls also took part in the NSG League 2,” remarked Mr Toh with a proud glint in his eye.
The most rewarding part of his football journey?
“Without a doubt, it’s seeing the student-athletes develop discipline over time,” said Mr Toh.
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