Chelsea Foundation inspires youngsters in Asia

Chelsea Foundation inspires youngsters in Asia

This April and May saw the Chelsea Foundation actively expanded its reach in Asia with interesting coaching sessions and programmes for youngsters and coaches in Doha (Qatar), Bangkok (Thailand) and Singapore – with special appearances from Chelsea legend Michael Essien.

Coaches from the Chelsea Foundation paid a week-long visit to Doha to deliver coaching clinics for youngsters and coaches in the city, in association with club partner Yokohama and the Qatar Football Association.

Throughout the week, coaches delivered sessions for more than 150 children aged 10-14, as well as offering coaching education sessions for local grassroots coaches and professional coaches at the Aspire Academy in Doha. Also, the Foundation visited the Awsaj Education City to work with 120 local children aged 8-12 and spent a day working with expats based in the city.

Chelsea Foundation international development manager Ian Woodroffe said:

”On behalf of the club I would like to thank the young players and coaches who have attended our second coaching visit to Qatar this April.”

‘’The Qatar FA and Yokohama Qatar were fantastic hosts and we are looking forward to continuing the development of the relationship with the hope we are able to deliver another programme in 2019 as they continue the build-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.”

Zak Wooster, one of five coaches in attendance from the Chelsea Foundation, added:

‘’It was fantastic to be in Qatar this year and see the development the players and coaches have made.

‘’We look forward to hopefully returning in 2019.’’

Delighting young fans in Singapore and Bangkok

Chelsea legend Michael Essien helped out with the Chelsea Foundation’s outreach efforts in South East Asia by taking part in events and delighting local students in Singapore and Bangkok.

The Ghanaian received a big welcome when he visited the campus of United World College South East Asia East (UWCSEA East) in May, where he joined coaches from Chelsea’s International Development Centre in Singapore to deliver an interactive healthy eating and active lifestyle assembly, gathering more than 400 students. The assembly concluded with a Q&A session from kids before Essien presented the school with a signed Chelsea shirt, posing for pictures and signing autographs.

.@UWCSEA_East and @ChelseaFC International Development Singapore welcomed footballer @MichaelEssien to campus this morning. Primary School students participated in a healthy eating and active lifestyle quiz with Michael led by the CFCIDC coaches. pic.twitter.com/J5bIkdCMx2

— UWCSEA East (@UWCSEA_East) May 15, 2018

Youngsters from the Centre were also a part of a meet-and-greet session with Essien at Café Football Singapore later that evening. Chelsea under-12 player Zach Whitehouse won a lucky draw for a new 2018/19 home kit, signed by the spot by Essien.

After delighting fans in Singapore, Essien was back in Asia at the end of the month to visit the Foundation’s Development Centre in Bangkok and took part in a training session with youngsters from the Foundation outreach programme at Amnuay Silpa School. The session showcased the Chelsea Foundation’s commitment to the development of youth football in Thailand and proved an enjoyable experience for Essien and the young players, who were schooled in coaching and training techniques developed specifically to create expressive and exciting footballers.

Amazing experience for the kids IN Bangkok who were able to train with @MichaelEssien today @NISTSchool @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/8kDOACH47r

— Ashvin Dayal (@toeydayal) May 26, 2018

Chelsea Foundation Asia regional development manager David Monk said:

‘’We have a long-term commitment to support the development of football in Singapore and across Asia with extremely diverse and exciting football programmes for all ages.”

‘’With an authentic club presence in Singapore and Bangkok, we are continually providing opportunities to young players from across the region not only be trained by genuine Chelsea coaches who offer the best football provision available, but also to meet heroes like Michael in their own back garden.

‘We have big plans for the International Development Centres in Singapore and Bangkok and we look forward to building relationships as we continue to grow with the aim to provide unrivalled experiences for football fans and players for many years to come.’’