To provide young football enthusiasts an environmentto learn and enjoy the sport, a football school for kids will open this summer at the Ayala Football Field in Talisay City.

Luan Verder, one of the founders of the Explorers Football School, said the school is an offshoot of the growing popularity of football in the country stirred by the Philippine national men’s team, the Azkals.

“Thanks to the Azkals, Negrenses have paid more attention to the sport in recent years and have become interested in making football as part of their children’s lives,” Verder said.

While most of the football programs in the province are mainly for varsity players as provided by the schools, The Explorers Football School will cater to beginners and skilled alike, she added.

As a coach-participant in the Asian Football Confederation C-License Course for Youth Football Coaching, coach Verder said they are planning to create football programs for children of all ages, starting with kids ages 3.5 to under 10 years old -- the “golden age” for learning the sport.

Level 1 of the training is the Fun Phase for kids 3.5 to under 7 years old, and will focus on developing motor skills, dexterity, balance and coordination. Students will be introduced to basic football techniques through fun games and simple drills, Verder said.

The second level will be the Foundation Phase for kids under 10 years old and will focus on developing basic football techniques with students being taught through small sided games, skill-building drills or exercises, and scrimmages.

“The emphasis of Level 2 is placed on understanding the rules and etiquette of the game and development of teamwork,” coach Verder, who used to play for the Negros Occidental Women’s Football and University of St. La Salle as team captain, said.

Assisting her in establishing the Explorer’s Football School is Canadian football coach Gordon Neilson, a former starting defender for Trinity Western University, Canada, and coach of Canmore, Alberta Canada Soccer Association Under-7 Youth.

Neilson has also played for Surrey FC in the British Columbia Premier League from 1988 to 1991.

Through the Explorers Football School, Verder and Neilson will offer fun, structured and well-organized youth football programs that are progressive and customized according to the children’s performance level.

Verder said they will provide a dynamic learning environment for kids to learn the game of football, and at the same time, create life-long memories for a group of young athletes and their parents.

“Our goal is not just to produce quality football players but also to set the tone for a lifetime of athletic enjoyment – to produce a generation of kids who love sports and are good sports,” Verder said.*NAB

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