Currently only five S.League clubs, Geylang United, Home United, SAFFC, Tampines Rovers and Woodlands Wellington, run COEs. (Photo: Ko Po Hui)

In line with the FAS Strategic Plan 2010-2015, all local S.League clubs must operate their club Centre of Excellence (COE) U-14, U-16 and U-18 programmes from 2011 onwards. This was told to the S.League club chairmen by Football Association of Singapore (FAS) President Zainudin Nordin at a briefing session held on 4 April 2011.

Once the clubs are ready, they will be expected to run the Under-8, Under-10 & Under-12 age-groups in the clubs COE programme. As part of the FAS Strategic Plan 2010-2015, FAS now operates three Junior COEs for Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12.

The funding for each local S.League club to operate the COE programme will be increased to $110,000 annually. As part of the enhancement initiative, all COE coaches will be required to attain the AFC ‘A’ Certificate in the future.

Mr Zainudin said: “FAS has expanded the breadth and depth aspects of our clubs’ COE programmes in order to enhance the tactical, technical, physical and mental capabilities of our emerging young talents.”

He added: “Besides quality coaching, these players will receive essential support in the areas of football science and medicine programmes such as nutrition and injury prevention amongst others.”

Mr Thavaneson said: “Youth development is of paramount importance for both the clubs and Singapore football and we are happy that FAS has devoted more financial resources and technical support for the clubs’ COE programmes. We are ready to kick-start our COE programmes and we believe that with the additional funding as well as key initiatives introduced by the FAS, we will see more quality young players coming through our NFA and COE programs.”