ANNUAL REPORT APR 2019 - MAR 2020 MISSION VALUES To develop a vibrant football culture to enhance Teamwork Inclusiveness Transparency national life, strengthen social harmony and evoke the Singapore Spirit. Respect Innovation Passion KEY PILLARS Youth Capability Development Development OF FAS Inclusion of Customised promising youth and centralised In line with a vision and attitude to players competing mechanism to VISION improve the footballing standard and in a Professional deliver industry best To excel in ASEAN and environment in Singapore, the FAS League. practices in coach compete at the Asian stage. development & club identified four key pillars as the basis administration. of all the changes and developments to build a stronger National Team for the future. Cost Efficiency Vibrant Football Shared services Culture to maximise For Singaporeans to holistic support feel connected to and to leverage on and embrace local economies of scale. football. season and marked a historical chapter league remains competitive with the with an international platform to shine. that could potentially shape the future continued presence of quality senior of the professional football landscape players and foreign signings. The FAS’ continuous efforts in in Singapore. Sea has a proven track grassroots development were record of building and managing Of course, youth development also recognised in December 2019 with the successful businesses, and the FAS has has to be facilitated at all other levels, AFC President’s Recognition Awards for complete confidence in their ability to including the grassroots, in order to Grassroots Football 2019 – Developing; steer the club to new heights. We hope grow the talent base for our football this achievement only serves to further that this will pave the way for other teams. enhance our efforts as we strive clubs to strive towards privatisation, as towards the Gold level. it would not only allow clubs to develop A key initiative to aid this development better club and financial management is the Inter-School Futsal Challenge We have also made two key capabilities, but also grow the domestic (ISFC), a joint project together with appointments in 2019 which further league commercially, thereby helping Singapore Pools for U10 and U14 demonstrated our commitment to create a self-sustaining model for players. Introduced in 2018, tweaks towards youth development. In local football. to the second edition’s format in May 2019, former Socceroo Joseph 2019 allowed for more playing time Palatsides, well-regarded in youth The club has also not wasted any time for all schools and introduced a girls’ development in Australian football in getting its youth developmental category. This resulted in participation circles, joined as our Technical Director. structure in place. The Lion City Sailors from 95 teams in total, 11 more than Six months later, Singapore icon Fandi Football Academy has been awarded the previous year. With the support of Ahmad was made Head of Elite Youth. PRESIDENT’S One-Star Academy status by the Asian both Singapore Pools and the Ministry Together, they will help to strengthen Football Confederation (AFC). This of Education, the ISFC is set to become the current structures and elevate our MESSAGE distinct honour comes in conjunction a mainstay of our footballing calendar. development methodologies. with the FAS being accepted as a full member of the AFC Elite Youth Another initiative that is currently in the Our elite youth development Dear members, REVAMPING SINGAPORE’S ONLY various online streaming platforms for Scheme, which is aimed at recognising works is the collaboration between FAS pathway had already undergone a PROFESSIONAL SPORTS LEAGUE the 13 fixtures that took place. Leading youth development efforts by Member and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to major change at the start of 2019, On behalf of the Football Association One of the biggest projects that we took life insurer AIA Singapore also came on Associations and improving the game in create an FAS-MOE Elite School League. with the discontinuation of the of Singapore (FAS), I am pleased to on was to further enhance the quality board the journey as title sponsor of Asia at national and club level. The Lion The main intention of this partnership FAS Football Academy. The net for present to you our Annual Report of our professional football league, the SPL in 2019. City Sailors Football Academy is the is to widen and complement the talent has since been cast wider; in for the Financial Year of April 2019 to where we rebranded the S.League in first in Singapore to be accorded such base of elite players flowing through addition to scouting players across March 2020. 2018 to the current Singapore Premier In early 2020, another milestone a status after meeting the standards the pipeline and to establish more all 83 secondary schools all over League (SPL). event took place when an SPL club and requirements in 20 performance channels for elite youth competition, Singapore, open trials were held for In 2018, the current Council was privatised for the first time in local categories as outlined in the AFC Elite maintaining a steady stream of players the first time for those born in the had established four “pillars” – Since then, we have seen renewed football history. Lion City Sailors FC, Youth Scheme. in the talent pool. year 2006, to identify those who may Youth Development, Capability interest in the league as a result, borne previously known as Home United have otherwise slipped through the Development, Cost Efficiencyout by increased crowd attendances FC, was unveiled by new owners Sea SHAPING FOOTBALLING GOALS Further efforts to heighten girls’ interest system. The aim of these trials is to (Efficient Resource Management) and especially at the start of the 2020 Limited, Singapore’s largest consumer THROUGH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT in football have led to a variety of recruit and groom talented players for A Vibrant Football Culture – which season. During that time, the SPL saw internet company, and is currently As enshrined in our collective vision programmes being introduced – the the upcoming AFF U15 Championship represent the key objectives of the impressive attendances in its opening fully funded by the organisation. The that youth development is core to FAS Girl Cubs Centres, FAS U12 Girls’ in 2021. The trials attracted over 250 FAS and what we have been striving matches, with the match between watershed initiative was a joint effort future success, we integrated this tenet Football Festival, FAS Girls’ Assistance sign ups from players who wished to to achieve in our plans and vision Tanjong Pagar United FC and Lion City which I oversaw together with fellow into the SPL. Programme (GAP) as well as the go through a structured development for Singapore football. The various Sailors FC attracting over 2,700 fans FAS Council Member Forrest Li, who is Goalkeeping Clinic. From these junior process under the tutelage of Coach initiatives and programmes introduced to catch the action live at the stadium. the founder, Chairman and Group CEO, To further nurture youth talent in a categories, we have seen an increase Philippe Aw. More age-group trials since, have been underpinned by Landmark broadcast deals were struck of Sea. Forrest’s keen determination professional league, local clubs were in participation rate of more than 30% for those born in 2007 and 2008 these principles. with Singtel, StarHub and Mediacorp to to have Lion City Sailors set a new required to include a minimum of since 2017, a statistic that resonates are scheduled to take place, as we telecast all SPL matches “live” for the benchmark for footballing excellence three local Under-23 starters and at with the Council’s strategic vision to move towards ensuring a more The progress of these initiatives will be 2020 season, complementing existing in Singapore and the region, was least six U23 players to be registered. further invest in the women’s game. comprehensive scouting process to shared too, as we reflect and take stock partnerships with online broadcasters instrumental in making this a reality. This These changes have spurred teams In 2019, the UEFA-FAS U15 Girls’ identify, monitor and develop talented with an eye on the future. 1Play and myCujoo that resulted in pilot project was a significant milestone to give promising young players vital Development Tournament was hosted players in preparation for upcoming over a million fans tuning in on the for the league as it entered its 25th game time, while ensuring that the for the first time, providing our girls international competitions. FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE | ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE | ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 2 3 Further enhancements were made to such as the ASEAN Football Federation as we celebrated the achievements up in droves to support the clubs. The FAS, together with the two football to greater heights, and galvanise the youth league pyramids with the (AFF) Women’s Championships and of various individuals and teams Even when it was necessary to play clubs that contested the 2020 AIA the nation towards a common goal. It is introduction of a U14 Development qualifiers for the 2019 FIFA Women’s over the course of the 2019 season our games behind closed doors, the Community Shield, Tampines Rovers a bold and ambitious project and while League in 2018 and the introduction World Cup and 2020 Olympics. In the and recognized the contributions of first time in the history of the SPL, the FC and Hougang United FC, made a it would not be easy for us to make it of a U21 league in 2020, which last year, 14 matches were played by certain people toward Singapore’s FAS continued to provide access to collective donation to The Courage to the World Cup, but, as the NSA for complement the U15 and U17 Centres the Lionesses as they continue to grow football over the years.