Starting this week, Football OPOD will be doing regular features on the various football academies that are available in Singapore, and in particular, Football OPOD’s take on these academies and their strengths.

So if you are a parent with a fervent passion for the beautiful game, and would like to have your child follow in your footsteps, be sure to read up on what these academies have to offer you and your cute young tot!

PUTTING FUN BACK INTO FOOTBALL

INTRODUCTION

While some of the well-known football academies both local and international are more concerned with expanding and globalizing into a brand name in order to tap into the huge potential academy football markets bring, a little closer to home Arion Football Academy is genuinely eager to develop the potential of young budding footballers from a tender age.

Having conducted classes at Venus Drive (Upper Thomson Road) since April 2008, Arion has over 70 children in the three age groups, Under-4, Uner-6 and Under-8.

WHY ARION?

A key selling point for Arion Football Academy is that they are one of only very few academies that offer football to children as young as 2 years-old. Here, the main focus is on developing motor skills such as balance, agility, and co-ordination as well as the child’s social skills.

As the children progress to the Under-6 and Under-8 groups coaches will begin to focus more on the technical skills and working within a team.

Arion also maintains a small coach to player ratio to give children the attention they need (U4 – 1:5, U6 – 1:10, U8 – 1:15) with an emphasis on maximum direct contact with ball.

Under 4

Group 1 Sat 9-10

Group 2 Sat 10-11

Group 3 Sun 9-10

Group 4 Sun 10-11

Under 6

Group 1 Sat 9-10:30

Group 2 Sun 9-10:30

Under 8

Group 1  Sun 9-10:30

PHILOSOPHY

Arion’s coaching philosophy puts focus on the journey and participation instead of winning, and makes sure everyone has FUN, a key element that is missing yet crucial to the development and growing of their love for the sport at this age.

The academy tries to vary the games and drills to ensure the children have fun whilst they learn and do not get bored of repetitive practice.

Arion believes in giving every individual an equal opportunity to train, play and improve themselves. The coaches at the academy understand their roles as teachers, role models and facilitators.

Arion Football Academy takes an interest in developing the individual as a player and, more importantly, as a person. Much attention is paid to players’ social, mental and physical development as the children are being developed both technically and tactically.

Fun – enjoyment and social skills.

Physical – balance, co-ordination, agility, speed etc.

Technical – fundamental football skills eg. turns, passing, shooting etc.

Tactical – use of fundamental football skills in a small sided game

Mental – mental strength, strong character, positive attitude etc.

COACHING STAFF

Yeong Sheau Shyan

Sheau Shyan is an AFC ‘B’ Certificate Coach. A former Singapore International, she has coached B and C Division school teams and is actively involved in the development of women’s football in Singapore. She was previously a Secondary School Maths and PE teacher for 6 years.

Neil Allsop

Originally from England, Neil is an AFC ‘C’ Certificate Coach. He spent the previous 7 years working for the Football Association of Singapore.

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: arionfa@gmail.com
Contact Number: Sheau Shyan - +65 96679512, Neil - +65 91901907
Office Address: 51, Borthwick Drive, Singapore 559554

Arion is registered with ACRA as Arion Football Academy LLP.