Inspire A Generation Summit 2017: High Participation In Football Clinic Are Encouraging Signs For Indian Football

Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai: As the first part of the ‘Inspire A Generation Summit 2017′, India Rush Soccer Club in association with Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) organised a one-day Football Workshop for coaches football professionals including referees, coaches and Football Clinic for Children. The topic for the workshop and Clinic was nothing can stop you from football. This three-session workshop for coaches consisting of theory and practice was conducted by highly-experienced International coaches and referee.
In a bid to capture the challenges present with players, regarding their emotional connection with the game, a Football Workshop was organised. The session was conducted by Tim Schulz, Founder President of Rush Soccer, former US Women National Team Coach for FIFA U-20 World Cup & United States Soccer Federation (USSF) A License Coach, Claude Bolton, Technical Director India Rush SC, former Guyana International & USSF A License Coach, former Technical Director Guyana Football Federation and Paulo Magalhaes, Technical Director at India Rush & Former Portuguese and Brazilian Club Coach. This 60 -minute session consisted of coaches from across various divisions of MDFA, Mumbai Schools and academies gathered under a common roof to understand how to Inspire players and to stay connected with football.
The emphasis of the session was that Football is there for everybody to be part of it. Either you are a Player, a Coach, a Fan, a Journalist, Boy or Girl, Young or Elder, Rich or Poor, there are moments and events in football that brings their emotions to surface. And the coaches have the job, to show love and passion when coaching and ensure that the players grow those emotions within them. Remember, if you love football, nothing can stop you from football!
Coach Paulo explained how to bring fun back into training by getting street football into the academy training, while Claude concluded his session aptly with message “A child is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to be lit.” and for Indian football to develop coaches have to keep the light burning which has been lit by the World Cup.
“We have the (FIFA Under-17) World Cup here in India, and this presents a great opportunity to spark every quadrant of Indian football, from the fans to the footballers and coaches. We are happy to contribute and hope to organise more events, as we plan for the future,” said Paulo Magalhaes.
Tim Schulz expressed his enthusiasm about the Football Clinic and said positively about what the future holds for India. “I agree with the philosophy that this event serves as a beginning for what is more to come and follow in this country. I am hopeful that a deeper passion for the game is instilled after the (FIFA Under-17) World Cup is over.”
The full ground was decorated as if a rangoli on Diwali with colourful cones and markers, welcoming 140 enthusiastic children for the football clinic and coaches on-field session. Each of the four stations was designed to create an environment of fun with football, to motivate the players and to keep coming back for more football.
“Despite it being a holiday, and the day of Diwali, we received a very positive response and eagerness to learn from the children, as they participated in more numbers than we anticipated,” expressed Udayan Banerjee, Honourable General Secretary of MDFA.
The final session in the classroom was conducted by Walter Perreira, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Elite Assistant Referees & Referee Assessor and an All India Football Federation (AIFF) Match Commissioner educating them with recent guidelines and amendments. The session also constituted of Pereira speaking about Rule 11 i.e. Offside Offense in Football and clarify doubts about several other questions raised in a very interactive class.
In his closing address for the day, Udayan Banerjee mentioned about this important and crucial association of MDFA with India Rush Soccer Club, this year. “When India Rush Soccer Club first approached us, we liked their intentions and ideology. They showed real concern regarding the post-FIFA Under-17 World Cup phase and were determined to make an impact. These are exciting times for all of us, and we are really excited about how things are moving forward and glad to be a part of this.”
AIFF eyes major policy shifts for Indian Football, announces coaching vacancy
In a significant Executive Committee meeting held on July 2, 2025, under the leadership of AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, the AIFF initiated discussions on several potentially transformative policy proposals. These…
Mumbai Super League 2025-26: Tentative Group Draws are Out
The countdown to the much-awaited Mumbai Football Season 2025-26 has officially begun, following the announcement of the tentative group stage draw for the Mumbai Super League. A total of 46…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers: India vs. Thailand – A Winner-Take-All Showdown!
The stage is set for a thrilling climax in Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, as India’s Blue Tigresses prepare to face Thailand’s Chabakaew in a…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
The Quest for Redemption: Why Tomorrow’s India vs. Thailand clash transcends Qualification
As the clock ticks down to the monumental clash between India and Thailand in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the air is thick with anticipation. This isn’t just…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
India Dominates Iraq with a resounding 5-0 win in AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers
India delivered a dominant performance, securing a commanding 5-0 win against Iraq in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers Group B encounter. This impressive win marks India’s third consecutive triumph…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
India ease past Timor-Leste in AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers
The Indian senior women’s team continued their emphatic run in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers with a commanding 4-0 victory against Timor-Leste at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
The raw talent of Priyadharshini Selladurai: From paddy fields of Thiruvarur to Thailand
‘Raw talent’ is how coach Crispin Chettri defines Priyadharshini Selladurai, the Indian women’s national team’s newest goalscorer. As a loose ball landed right in front of her feet just inside…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Crispin Chettri targets improved first-half performances as race to AFC Women’s Asian Cup heats up
Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers has almost turned into a two-horse race after Matchday 3 as India and Thailand are level on six points, with…
AFC Women’s Champions League 2024-25: East Bengal FC drawn against clubs from Hong Kong, Cambodia
East Bengal FC were drawn alongside Kitchee SC (Hong Kong) and Phnom Penh Crown FC (Cambodia) in Group E of the AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Stage, following the draw…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Etched in History: Blue Tigresses Break the Hex, Qualify for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026!
When the final whistle pierced the air at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, it wasn’t just a sound; it was the echo of history being rewritten. Tears streamed…
Maharashtra Oranje FC’s Academy Division, SFL Oranje Academy, announces Trials for 2025-26 season across multiple age groups
Mumbai, Maharashtra – Maharashtra Oranje FC, a prominent name in Mumbai’s football circuit, is set to hold extensive trials for the upcoming 2025-26 season through its academy division, SFL Oranje…
SSE BFC offering girls football trials in Mumbai for U14 & U17 Teams
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-serving academies, is a trusted name and has positively contributed to shaping the local football community for thousands of kids since 2010. SSE Soccer…
SSE BFC Soccer Schools Announces Open Trials for 2025-26 Season in Mumbai
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-standing football academies, has announced open trials for its 2025-26 SSE BFC Soccer Schools program in partnership with Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC….
South United FC Announces Trials in Pune for their Residential Academy in Bangalore
South United Football Club has announced its next set of trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held in Pune. The trials will take place at the Club’s…
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…