By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports
Suhandika looking to dribble pass his opponent. The ITE College West student looks forward to training every week. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
“I have learned how to smile even if my opponents play rough against me.”
The 16-year-old Suhandika from ITE College West had just captained his under-16 team, the Henderson Free Kicks, to a second-place finish in the 2013 Central Singapore Community Shield, previously known as the Mayor’s Cup.
“The Free Kicks programme has taught me a lot. I (now) know how to pass, control, and shield the ball. Besides football skills, I also learnt discipline, respect and to play as a team. I like to go for training every single week,” said Suhandika, who has been training with the team for two years.
The programme, initiated by the Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC), provides free football training for kids aged 8 to 16 every week and have been doing so for the past three and a half years. The players train every Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Henderson Secondary School.
The SportCares Foundation supports the Henderson Free Kicks programme by providing the team of 40 boys with jerseys and boots for training. The foundation was set up by the Singapore Sports Council to drive social good through sport and is one of the recommendations of Vision 2030.
“The Henderson Free Kicks programme started in October 2010 and the aim was to get the boys off the street to teach them discipline and responsibility through the sport of football. We may not train them to become professional football players, but we want to develop their sense of self-worth,” said Raymond Chua, 40, the team manager who has been volunteering for the past three years.
“The discipline of the boys has definitely improved, though there is still some way to go. I still keep in contact with some of those who have graduated, and I am glad to know they are doing well,” added Raymond.
Asnora Mohd Noor, a volunteer, feels that the programme is beneficial and sends all three of her sons, aged 15, 11 and 10, for it.
“My three boys have been with the programme for the last two years and it is something they look forward to each week,” said Ms Asnora.
“They love football very much so I wanted to send them for structured trainings. They play football everyday and really like the training (sessions). They even set an alarm every Sunday! The coaches always help the children and I can see the difference in the boys.”
“They are more disciplined and positive after attending the trainings. I think it helps them in their school work as well,” added the 39-year-old mother, who attends every training session with her sons.
Under the name Tanglin-CairnHill, the Henderson Free Kicks sent a total of five teams consisting of various age groups to the 2013 edition of the Community Shield where all teams finished within the top half of the competition. More importantly, it gave the participants an opportunity to display what they have learned about discipline and sportsmanship.
In fact, this is not missed by coach Nazir Abdul Hamid, who has been guiding the boys since the start of the programme.
“I’m really proud to say that the boys have grown,” commented the 40-year-old.
“I’ve seen the boys grow not only in terms of football abilities but in character as well. That is really the goal of this programme – to teach them how to communicate and how to work as a team. They used to have anger issues and problems communicating, but they’re doing very well in this competition.”
“For me, it can be challenging to coach these boys. I’m not much of a disciplinarian, but I need to know when to give them their freedom and when to control them. This can be challenging.”
With the success of the Henderson Free Kick programme which has catered for boys, a programme for the girls is being set up.
“A girls programme is in the works,” said Raymond.
“Currently, we have a team of seven girls and although we did not send them for this competition, they will be participating next year. So watch out for us!”
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