“Reliance Foundation Young Champs facility is on par with international standards”, says Tottenham Hotspur Foundation coach Sabrina Dias
Mumbai, November 29: Taking forward the culture of dialogue of ideas and philosophies, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation football coach Sabrina Dias visited the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) in Navi Mumbai last week as part of the North London club’s measures to engage with fans and promote the development of football at grassroots level. In addition to engaging with coaches and young enthusiasts of the sport, Dias also engaged in an insightful session with the RFYC players from different age categories.
Dias said that the Reliance Foundation and their initiatives should be a benchmark for footballing development in India and celebrated the RFYC facility to be on par with global standards. She explained that the entire program, which propelled 12 graduates from the 2023 batch to sign professional contracts with Indian clubs, is designed in a way that takes care of an all-round, holistic development of a youngster.
“What I saw at the (Reliance Foundation Young Champs) academy is excellent. I have coached for five years now. I have been to Switzerland, countries like South Korea, but I have never seen something like that. That not just improves the players’ footballing abilities, but also their mental and the social sides. What I saw was totally excellent, and it is really good for the boys,” Dias said in an interaction.
The Spurs tactician said that RFYC has laid a pathway for other similar entities to look at, get inspired from, and work towards to create similar amenities to grow the sport in India.
Dias is someone who has worked extensively in training budding professionals and then at an advanced level in the broadened youth development structure of Tottenham. In that context, she has ample understanding of what goes behind developing an individual and also giving shape to a successful youth team that can excel and win laurels in the various developmental games that happen weekly. She believes that it is a step by step process, but focused mechanisms regarding the same should be put in place across the country so that its collective results could be yielded in the foreseeable future.
“I think that’s a base mark of what can be done for (football) in India. What you (Reliance Foundation) have done here, is so good that all teams should look at that as the base and try to hit that spot. What I saw there was really good, especially for the players, because many of them are moving away from their homes. They are not used to that environment, and getting to know something new, especially young players such as the U-14s, if other teams watch what you are doing, it will grow the project and bring in more players,” Dias remarked.
Dias held a session focusing on three footballing aspects, namely: ball marshalling, passing, and 1v1 situations at the RFYC. Each of these areas was touched upon in great detail, with the players getting an in-depth understanding of their undercurrent layers as well. They were interconnected to a great degree as well, for example, the skills learnt in the ball controlling session were put into use whilst polishing a player’s 1v1 skills. Working with goalkeepers, ensuring that they are comfortable with the ball on their feet amidst tight spaces and when they are being pressed by the opponents was also explored.
“Something that I can really overlap from both sides is the hunger from the players, is what I can see in both countries. In terms of the weather, the boys here are really hitting the high levels,” Dias quipped upon her first thoughts from the entire exercise. She is a proponent of applying tactical inputs practically on the field, and hence encouraged coaches in India to provide their players concentrated and competitive game-time focusing on broad themes that are taught during technical sessions.
“Game time is very important. In the United Kingdom (UK), we focus on technical sessions based on certain topics, and for every session we at least have 20-25 minutes of match time. So that they can put all that they have learned in a session into a situation that is match realistic. Always link a situation to a match, so that the kids learn off it,” Dias signed off.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.
RFDL’s National Championship Preview: A Heated Battle as Football’s Brightest Stars Vie for Title Win in the Final Four Showdown
The National Championship of the elite U-21 youth tournament, the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) begins on May 14, Tuesday, with four teams, i.e. defending champions Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal…
RFDL is the ultimate scouting platform – Thangboi Singto, Hyderabad FC Head Coach
Hyderabad FC head coach, Thangboi Singto, hailed the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as the premier scouting ground for budding football players in India. As the 2023-24 season’s National Championship…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
Big brother, wonderful human being, the GOAT: Chhetri an inspiration to teammates
BHUBANESWAR: As the Indian senior men’s team gathered in the Kalinga Stadium gym for their session on Thursday morning, there was a hush in the room. Less than an hour ago,…
Sunil Chhetri: A glorious international career at a glance
Born: August 3, 1984 Debut on June 12, 2005: vs Pakistan (Quetta) Matches played: 150 (captain in 87 matches) Goals scored: 94 (Top goalscorer for India) Trophies Won– Achievements– Awards– Also Read: Big brother, wonderful…
Chembur United-Jupiter FC and GKW Ranger Ease Past in their Outing in MFA First Division
In an exhilarating showdown in the MFA First Division, Chembur United-Jupiter FC cruised past Companeroes SC with a comprehensive 4-0 victory, while GKW Rangers edged out MH Oranje FC with…
A beautiful dream will come to an end on June 6, says Sunil Chhetri
BHUBANESWAR: The journey that began in 2006 in the faraway city of Quetta in Pakistan, will finally come to an end in Kolkata on June 6, 2024, after an eventful 19…
RF Youth Sports / Reliance Developmental League
Punjab FC crowned RFDL 2023-24 Champions after beating East Bengal FC in final
Punjab FC players deserve the entire credit for helping us win the Reliance Foundation Development League 2023-24 season unbeaten: Coach Sankarlal Chakraborty Punjab FC became the Reliance Foundation Development League…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…