Woodlands Wellington Football Club together with Evergreen Primary School and their junior football program the Evergreen Whizzcats organized a 2 day football camp at the Woodlands Stadium on the 22nd and 23rd of July 2007.

Head coach Jorg Stienebrunner and Assistant coach Sivarajan handled the training for both days with the help of nine S-League players on each day. The participants were thought the basics in dribbling, passing, shooting, heading and ball control, while the goalkeepers had the expert help of ex-national custodian Yazid Yasin and Fadhil Salim to guide them during the entire 2 days of the camp.

A total of 70 kids whose ages ranged between 6 to 12 years old were involved in the camp. Started in 2003 and run completely by parent volunteers, the program has grown from strength to strength over the last few years. With the majority of the kids in the under 8 age category, the main aim of the Whizzcats is to teach them the beautiful game while having fun at the same time. Discipline is emphasized together with team work. Tactical and technical aspects are also thought to the kids to help make them better players in the future.

Coached by parent volunteers Mr. Mazlan who is the head coach and supported by 2 assistants in Mr. Zakaria and Mr. Mustafi, the kids train every Sunday between 8am to 10am. Their fitness training is handled by Mr. Hisham.

“It’s a joy watching these kids training and having fun. It’s also a change of environment for the players as we get to share our knowledge with these youngsters,” said Woodlands captain Ahmad Latiff.

“We are very grateful to Woodlands Wellington FC and the management committee for giving our kids this opportunity to train and play with the S-League coaches and players. The kids were looking forward to meeting players like Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Sazali Salleh, Lucian Dronca and the rest of the team whom they normally only see on TV but meeting them was a dream come true for many of them. The enthusiasm and the dedication to teach that was shown by the Woodlands players and coaching staff is really appreciated,” said Mr. Yusof bin Abdul one of the parent volunteers.

“The fun that we had with the kids over the last 2 days is something that we will cherish and we appreciate the effort put in by the Evergreen primary school as more that 70 kids came for the camp,” said Woodlands vice-captain Akihiro Nakamura.

Woodlands coach Jorg Steinebrunner had this to say, “The kids were very eager to learn and the players and coaches had a lot of fun doing the clinic. But at the end of the day, it was all about the kids. All we want is to teach them something and for them to have fun.”

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WWFC in schools

Students from Wellington Primary, Marsling Primary, Fuchun Primary and Admiralty Secondary school were in for a treat as S-league players, from WWFC came to teach them the basics of playing good football.

The students were thought ball control techniques, one and two touch passes, shooting drills, heading techniques and possession play in a session that lasted for slightly more than an hour. “We stressed to the boys to look up when making passes and not to look down,” said Bah Mamadou. “Getting the technique right at their age is essential in making them good players” he added.

“I feel very happy that the Woodlands players have thought me how to pass and to shoot better. I enjoyed the training with them” said Ganesh from Wellington primary school.

“This is the first year that Woodlands Wellington Football Club has come to our school. The players were very enthusiastic in sharing their knowledge with the students. As much as the boys were young, the players showed tremendous patience and responsibility in working with them. The session was very beneficial for the students and we are looking forward to the next session” said teacher in charge Mr. Morris Koh.

Over at Admiralty secondary school, the outreach program is used as a tool to get the TAF club members more interested in football. Mr. Neville Teo, the HOD for PE said, “With these students, the objective is to get them down for the activity. The thought of meeting players like Ahmad Latiff gets them excited.”

It was a truly enjoyable and memorable experience for the students as they got to play and train with their football idols.

All in, both the students and players had a wonderful time in the sessions conducted.