Young soccer stars give it their best shot
With plenty of clubs to choose from, the soccer stars of the future are spoiled for choice, write Tara Jenkins and Karen Pittar
Judging by the growth of soccer schools and children's leagues in recent years, youngsters in Hong Kong are getting a real kick out of the beautiful game.
Children can now sign up for a plethora of coaching schemes, ranging from Hong Kong Football Club's volunteer-run junior programme to those affiliated with international clubs. The Hong Kong Junior Football League, a long-time fixture on children's sporting calendars, is now supplemented by the Development League and the Community League, as well as soccer sevens competitions.
"The power of sport and football is very strong," says Dave Stewart, football programme development manager of ChelseaFC Soccer School, which is linked to the Premier League club in London.
"Some children want to play to chase their dream of becoming a professional footballer ... Footballers have to work extremely hard every day, be dedicated to their training, and live a certain lifestyle to stay in peak physical condition. Hopefully, this hard work can inspire children to work hard in life, regardless of what it is they want to achieve."
For other children, soccer is a way to make friends and stay active.
"At the core of all these different reasons, though, is the same goal - to have fun and enjoy playing the game," says Stewart.
Girls' teams are gaining strength in junior soccer, and high-profile athletes like Carli Lloyd, the US midfielder who scored the two goals in this year's Olympic final, will undoubtedly help pave the way for a new generation of female players.