Sun, May 07, 2017 page11

• Soccer academy rides wave of popularity

  • By Jason Pan / Staff reporter
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  The local soccer scene is riding a resurgent wave of public interest with the national squad staying alive in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and with eight clubs vying for the title in the inaugural Taiwan Premier Football League campaign this year.

  Even government officials and legislators, now aware of the global reach of the beautiful game from their foreign travels and after following the FIFA World Cup and other major competitions, have voiced support for more funding and to initiate new programs to boost soccer development.

  At a legislative committee session last week, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chiu Chih-wei and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Apollo Chen urged the government to revitalize its efforts to promote the game and to implement a “national strategic soccer plan.”

  

  Soccer coach Alan Walker, left, listens during a seminar at Shipai Junior High School in Taipei’s Beitou District last month.

  Photo: courtesy of Master Football Academy

  Calling on the Sports Administration and other government agencies to strive for concrete results, Chiu and Chen set the lofty target of Taiwan moving into the top 100 of the FIFA rankings within six years.

  Taiwan are currently No. 161 in the FIFA rankings.

  Most people involved in Taiwanese soccer, from the players and coaches to the pundits and fans, know that there are no shortcuts. The way to progress is to develop the game from the grassroots level, make more pitches available and to implement youth development programs throughout the nation.

  

  Master Football Academy general manager Michael Chandler, front row, second right, English coach Alan Walker, back row, right, and Walker’s assistant Kevin Knowles, back row, left, pose with local coaches and players at a practice session at Shipai Junior High School in Taipei’s Beitou District last month.

  Photo: courtesy of Master Football Academy

  Michael Chandler, originally from England, has been pushing in that direction with his children’s soccer programs at Master Football Academy (MFA).

  As general manager of the academy, based in Taipei, Chandler works with fellow expatriates to offer coaching courses and regular competitions to children in various age groups.

  “My goal is to do everything I can to help promote and develop the beautiful game in this country for future generations, including my own children,” Chandler said in an interview with the Taipei Times. “We have found great enthusiasm among many Taiwanese parents and youngsters for soccer, and the passion for playing the game is growing each year. Parents can see their kids developing good sportsmanship, teamwork, respect for others, and leadership on and off the pitch, but there is a shortage of soccer grounds, deficiencies in basic game facilities and a lack of coaching programs at schools, which has resulted in people who are interested, but have limited access and few opportunities to engage in soccer.”

  

  Players vie for the ball during a Master Football Academy coaching session at Shipai Junior High School in Taipei’s Beitou District last month.

  Photo: courtesy of Master Football Academy

  Operating English-language soccer programs for children and bringing foreign professionals to train local coaches are among MFA’s major objectives.

  Apart from hosting coaching clinics, the academy holds weekly coaching sessions and matches in the Taipei area, as well as organizing summer and winter camps around Taiwan and overseas.

  As part of MFA’s mission, Chandler last month brought over two experienced soccer coaches from England, Alan Walker and his assistant Kevin Knowles, for a four-day “Coach Education Seminar” at Shipai Junior High School in Taipei.

  A former Leeds United and Millwall player, Walker is considered one of the best soccer educators in Europe and is a former elite coach at the Kent Football Association, and he has taught some of the top coaches in the world, while Knowles is a UEFA A license coach.

  Just last year, Walker taught courses that included former English Premier League stars Teddy Sheringham (Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and England) and Ronny Johnsen (Manchester United), among other famous ex-professionals.

  Chandler said the course in Taipei was successful, with Walker and Knowles training numerous coaches, who are working with five-to-15-year-olds at MFA and other soccer academies.

  The topics included: “The roles, skills and qualities of a soccer coach,” “Awareness of safe and organized activities,” “Coaching session evaluation and self-reflection,” “Nutritional needs of soccer players,” and “Planning of progressive coaching sessions.”

  Working with Chandler’s MFA, Walker has visited Taiwan several times, heading up a “Coaches Certificate” program for those intending to achieve certification on a par with the Level 1 and Level 2 standards of the Football Association.

  Walker said he has seen the growth of youth soccer in Taiwan through his collaboration with MFA through the years.

  “Future success, on and off the field, lies with the youngsters, so ensuring kids enjoy and fall in love with the game is paramount in retaining their interest so it has a positive impact throughout the remainder of their lives,” Walker said.

  “The biggest issue I have come across around the world is that some coaches have a must-win mentality and it’s more about glorifying coaches’ CVs [resumes] than on catering to the best interests of their players. This is necessary at pro level, but for kids the results should never be prioritized over player development,” he said. “Parents also have a huge role and influence on the kids. I see it all the time, parents yelling instructions and negative criticisms from the touchline that only confuses their child and destroys their confidence.”

  “Taiwan is great, the people are so hospitable and it’s the participants who make my job so enjoyable — I can see they really want to learn to be the best they can be, to benefit their players,” Walker said. “They are engaging by providing real-time scenarios that I can help guide them through. It’s truly rewarding. I realize the game is not as popular here as in most countries and has its challenges, but if the coaches have a passion to learn then that’s a positive step forward.”

  Chandler said he has been involved in the local soccer scene since 1999 when he first arrived in Taiwan.

  “I am fully aware that Taiwan lacks the infrastructure to fully develop youngsters, and in addition has limited exposure at the top level for players to learn and build up their aspirations,” he said. “These are the biggest challenges for Taiwan, so what we can do? So [working] within our means, we have to invest in our youngsters by bringing renowned experts like Alan and Kevin to ensure we are aware of the latest technologies, methods and philosophies involved in coaching the game.”

  Chandler said he plans to work with the Chinese Taipei Football Association on training programs to cultivate talent at the grassroots level and to invite other European coaches to run coaching education courses in Taiwan.
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