Soccer School of Excellence (SSE)

by Avinash Palai August 13, 2017

Mumbai: Seven years ago, an Academy named Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE) was formed in Mumbai with a motive to promote grassroots as well as to establish a big platform for the underprivileged kids.

The MDFA affiliated Academy started its journey in 2010 with 60 players and one centre only. Fast forward to 2017, the Academy consists of over 1400 players with 30+ centres across the City. Most importantly, SSE has been providing free of cost playing opportunities to about 150 underprivileged kids every year since their introduction.

It’s quite fascinating to see Academies taking such huge steps towards the growth of grassroots football and providing necessary facilities to the passionate kids who aspire to become a footballer one day.

In 2012, SSE extended its roots at the International level when they set up training and development program centre at Mumbai in association with Portuguese giants Benfica. The next four years saw Soccer School of Excellence partner with Conscient Football to market and organise FC Barcelona football camps in Mumbai.

Under their community-based programs, one of the most prominent achievements were when the UDream Project selected an underprivileged kid from the SSE Social Program in 2015 and sent the boy on a 6-year playing scholarship to Germany. Over the years, the training and development programs and facilities have given kids a chance to develop and hone their skills.

A special, ‘Mr Paul Breitner Football Clinic’ organized by Adidas was also held in 2016 in India where the 1974 World Cup winner with Germany held a special training session for the SSE players.

In the last six years, SSE has also organised various grassroots Tournaments: SSE Champions League (Flagship Junior League), Total Football League (5-a-side open league), Monsoon Football League (5-a-side open league) and Youth Football Championship (7-a-side Junior League).

Progressing every year, SSE United also registered a team to participate in the MDFA’s Third Division League for the 2017-18 season. Along with other things, they also aspire to participate in the Under 13 and Under 15 i-league tournaments held by AIFF next season.