Issue 5 - Indochina Starfish Foundation

Football Sponsorship Newsletter
Editorial
Issue 5
Dear Readers
October 2009
Every time we start to prepare for another Football Newsletter, I am amazed at what has been achieved
over the prior six months. The achievements are the result of a lot of hard work from the ISF/SALT team
on the ground.
What’s been happening…
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
ISF Flying Tigers Visit to Battambang
2
▪
In May, ISF hired their second full time female coach, Sok Ranya, to help train the growing number of
girls teams.
First Hello Street
Football Tournament
2
▪
▪
Sam Schweingruber (SALT) was appointed coach of the Cambodian Female National Team.
Chantha’s Story
3/4
ISF was proud to assist Sam in the preparation of the U16 Girls Cambodian National Team, which
played its first international game against Laos on 22 May 2009. A score line of 2-1 to Laos was a
fantastic result for the coach, team and Cambodian female football.
A Canadian in
Cambodia
4
ISF League Commencing Soon!
5
ISF Profile Krourch Kakada
5
▪
Trial matches have been running on alternative Sundays since July, in order to get teams and
organisers ready for the ISF League, which kicks off on 8 November for U14 boys, U16 girls and
grassroots mixed teams of U8 and U10.
▪
Srey Mau, ISF’s first female coach, passed her C Licence in July, making her only one of two females
in Cambodia who hold this licence. This is a huge achievement for Srey Mau, who, in January 2008
was employed as ISF’s school cook and cleaner.
British International
School, Shanghai
6
Thank You
6
▪
Sam has been invited by FIFA to attend a 3 day seminar from 30 September at their facilities in
Switzerland. The focus will be on the development of grass roots football in South East Asia.
Contact Us
7
▪
In late August, Sam was presented with a medal from the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) for
his services to the development of youth football in Cambodia; a very worthy recipient.
Dates to Remember
7
I have been fortunate to attend
a number of training sessions
and games this year. The
number of organisations and
children participating continues
to grow, skill levels are
improving, and all round there
are lots of smiles and laughter.
None of this would be possible
without team and tournament
sponsors, football clubs and
individuals around the world
co-ordinating second hand boot
and gear collections and the
Football Federation of
Cambodia.
The trustees of ISF thank you
for your support.
Leo Brogan
Onslow Boys & Girls - ASPECA Phnom Penh
“
Do you have
any football
gear to
donate?
”
P AGE 2
I S S UE 5
ISF’s Flying Tigers visit to Battambang Province
….by Seang Choeun, ISF Teacher
In July, ISF’s team, the Flying Tigers, received an invitation to join a Street Football Tournament in Battambang Province
with Mr Sam (SALT Academy). In this game there were many NGO kids teams from around Cambodia who came to join
in this event. It started on Friday, 31st July 2009 and celebrated for three days.
There were three kinds of rewards
The first reward for adult group, there are 19 teams.
The second reward for U16 boy group, there are 13 teams.
The third reward for the girl group, there are 9 teams.
So in this event we noted that the ISF's kids are really happy when they met
the other NGO kids. It was a great opportunity for ISF football teams to build
up their experience of life, experiences of football technique and they learn
more how to be good kids.
Moreover they have to unite their team to be an interesting team for the
spectators. They showed good communication and build up relationships with
the other kids teams. Above all they exchanged their football technique and
learned skills different to what they have learned before. Besides this they built confidence and their capacity to adapt in
order to help themselves to be flexible when they were faced with a different atmosphere. They learned control and
responsibility for what they did. In addition ISF's kid team are strengthen their ability, confident, behaviour, generosity
and then make them braver than before to stand in every circumstance.
Dunbar Rovers - warm up exercises
So the main thing that we focus on as that we have had to train them to be a good citizen in the society.
First Hello Street Football Tournament - 31 July to 2 August
….by Sam Schweingruber, SALT
For the first time SALT Academy organized a Street Football Tournament in Battambang, inviting existing teams but also
new groups to join in the fun of playing in the middle of town. Prior to the showdown on the streets, all the ISF coaches
from Battambang received training by Referee Instructors from the Football Federation of Cambodia on the laws of the
Futsal game. The training was obviously a success as during the 3 day tournament the authorities of the officials never
had to be questioned.
19 adult teams, 13 U16 teams and 9 girls teams signed up for the event which was sponsored by Hello Phone Company.
Not only the kids from an ISF sponsored organization based in Battambang got to join in the brand new experience but
also a boys and girls team from ISF PP (Phnom Penh) travelled the long way. The players all adjusted very well to the new
rules and surface after just a game or two of confusion. The boys from ISF PP struggled and seemed on average smaller
and younger then the Battambang teams, keeping a few games really interesting but not managing to win a point. So the
boys U16 final ended up being a show down between the two strongest teams from Battambang, the boys from the
ASPECA orphanage and the team representing the Catholic church called SRV with the Blue Dragons from ASPECA
deciding a close encounter 3:1.
In the girls tournament the ISF PP team surprised all by beating the
Rapha House team and eliminating them, but failed by a weaker goal
difference to progress to the Semi Final much to the joy of the White
Pigeons from Homeland. Their run was unbelievable, after losing the
first game they ended up winning the semis against the Blue Dragons
from ASPECA. The smaller ASPECA girls played excellent combination
football, lead by 2:0 and started to slow down with the Homeland girls
coming back and scoring last minute to win 3:2. In the Final the
unbeaten girls from Bantey Menchey played against Homeland again,
probably feeling a bit over-confident after beating the White Pigeons in
the group stages 4-0. But the final was a brand new story with the
National team players Mom and Chivey from Homeland leading the
attack and overcoming the very strong Bantey Menchey defence. The
first 3 goals scored against the team, who are also the High School
Champions of Cambodia, finalized a 3:2 upset, leaving most of the
Homeland girls in tears of joy. SALT Academy will try to organize more
Futsal or Street Football competitions in the future as the first event of its
kind was a huge success and a great way to keep the kids involved
during the rainy season.
ISF Flying Tigers
P AGE 3
I S S UE 5
Chantha’s Story
….by Long Phanna, ISF Community Research and Development Officer
Chantha and her family have lived beside the garbage dump in Stung Mean Chey, one of the poorest areas of Phnom
Penh, Cambodia since 2003. In 2006, Chantha and some of her other siblings were fortunate enough to be accepted to
study by Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF) an international NGO based in Stung Mean Chey providing education and
sporting opportunities to the children they serve.
Chantha had never been to school before 2006 but studied hard with ISF and in November 2008 along with 25 other classmates, was awarded an ISF scholarship to study in the local primary school. She has now almost completed her first year
and is one of the top students within her grade.
Alongside its Education Programme, Indochina Starfish Foundation in partnership with the Football Federation of
Cambodia and SALT Academy runs a football programme that trains over 1,500 children twice a week every week from
more than 20 orphanages and NGOs in Cambodia. This programme gives disadvantaged children the opportunity to be
part of organised sports and provides all the equipment and requirements for the children to train. Chantha joined the
football programme with ISF and was part of the regular training.
In May 2009 when FIFA and the Football Federation formed their first U16 Female National Cambodian Team, Chantha,
along with 30 other girls, the majority of whom trained under the ISF/SALT Football Programme, were invited to try out for
the squad. The girls spent a week at the Football Federation of Cambodia where they trained intensely.
Chantha said “There were much effort to be a real player of Cambodian Girl Football Team that required much patient and
high willingness”.
After the week of training, Chantha was one of 22 girls
selected to travel to Laos on 22nd May to represent
Cambodia in their first ever female international match.
Of being selected, Chantha said, “It was a first time that
I could play football abroad and I was proud as an ISF
representative girl among other 22 players came from
many organizations that join in this great friendship
match”.
The delegation from Cambodia left Phnom Penh for
Laos at 6.30am on 19th May. After almost two full days
of travel on the Football Federation of Cambodia’s bus,
the team arrived in Vientiane, the capitol of Laos.
For many of the players from Cambodia, it was the first
time they have been out of their home town let alone
out of the country! There was great excitement among
the girls and nervous anticipation of their performance
against the Laos team.
The first U16 Female National Cambodian Team
The girls were invited to dinner on 21st May with the Cambodian Ambassador to Laos, Yi Dan, who welcomed them to
Laos and wished them every success in the match.
The match was a well fought one and although the result was in favour
of Laos 2-1, the girls represented Cambodia well and with great pride.
Chantha said that “Even our team tried to play very hard, but we could
not win the game due to few mistakes happened during the match,
such as most of rival players were bigger girls, could run faster and had
good football service, and our team even could not run fast, but we had
a good defence”. She further added that “we lost this match but I got
much experience, self leading skills, and awareness on the strength of
our rival. I was not disappointed and will try to train so much as possible if there is a chance to play again with Laos team”.
The girls were treated to a party hosted by FIFA after the match. It was an opportunity for the girls to meet with their rivals
socially and celebrate the success of their participation. Chantha said “we had lots of good fortune that we were treated
very well and had many chances to celebrate our trip to Laos”.
P AGE 4
I S S UE 5
Upon returning to Cambodia, the Football Federation of Cambodia welcomed the girls with another party to celebrate their
return.
Chantha returned home to her family who said that they were “proud and surprised” with her achievement.
No doubt the experience will be a cherished childhood memory for Chantha.
A Canadian in Cambodia ….by Megan Walsh, Canadian football volunteer and coach
Coming into Cambodia I had no idea what to expect. My only knowledge was of
the country’s recent history. After my first hour in Phnom Penh it was very evident
to me how warm and welcoming the local people were! Meeting some of the
children for the first time was an entire experience in itself. I hopped on a moto
with Kate and arrived at a truck full of giddy children! They were full of energy and
in such high spirits! It was unbelievable to see them all running around on the
field. The kids didn’t mind that there was a vast range of skill level because they
were all having too great a time! Throughout my time there I helped coach a few
different teams. Though it was difficult to verbally communicate I was still able to
try and teach them through demonstration and playing the game. Making sure
they were all having fun was my main goal because this is their break from reality
and time to truly be children.
When I was not coaching I was at the school with Julia, another volunteer and we
worked on a couple of projects. Julia and I had fun transforming the walls in the
gymnasium to life! We covered all the walls with bright paint and on various
occasions we turned into blue smurfs, which the locals always pointed out to us!
Another major part of my experience was having the privilege of travelling to Laos
with the first ever female national football team! These girls had one week to train
and their growth was unbelievable to watch! Sam, his coaching staff, and the girls
Megan and the girls on the bus to Laos
themselves did an incredible job preparing for this exciting match! Our trip up to
Laos was truly remarkable! It was a long way to travel but the scenery through all the villages and country side was so
beautiful. It was also so amazing to watch this bus full of proud young women leave their country for the first time. You
could tell how special they all felt being treated like a professional team in their brand new gorgeous track suits!
Since the U-16 Laos National team had been training all year it was difficult to judge what kind of game it may be! It turned
out to be a great match! Both teams put their hearts on the field which made for an exciting game! Though the other team
had some highly skilled players our girls were able to keep the game suspenseful with their determination! After being
defeated 2-1, the girls were still in high spirits! They ended their trip to Laos with live entertainment and dancing at a dinner
with FIFA representatives and their friendly opponents! Saying bye to the girls was very difficult for me. Though I had only
known them all for less than two weeks I had formed a strong bond with quite a few of the players. I never thought that it
was possible to feel so connected to children with whom I didn’t share the same language. Seeing this incredible
experience end for them was very difficult for me.
Even though I was only in Cambodia for a month it felt like much longer.
I truly felt settled in there as if I had been there for 6 months and was not
ready to leave when the time came! I am hoping to return and would like
to stay for a much longer period of time round two! What I found most
remarkable about the children was their spirit. These children have all
gone through so much and have grown up in absolute poverty, yet they
appear to be the happiest and most appreciative children I have ever
met! Their resilience and positivity was contagious and so inspiring to be
around! I am very grateful to have been given this volunteer
opportunity with Indochina Starfish Foundation and their amazing staff.
I am so proud of the work this organization is doing and I look forward to
seeing all of its continued progress and growth in the future!
P AGE 5
I S S UE 5
ISF League – Commencing Soon!
In July and August 2009 ISF successfully organized a
trial league for the children who participate in our
programme. To date the children have trained twice a
week, every week, but matches were limited due to the
difficulty of obtaining a pitch for them to play on regularly.
ISF together with SALT and with the support of the
Football Federation of Cambodia, have formed a
partnership with Don Bosco Technical School (DBTS) in
Phnom Penh to rent the pitch available at the DBTS
facility. The feedback of how much the kids enjoyed the
trial league was phenomenally positive, and they are
eagerly anticipating the start of the official league.
….by By Kate Griffin, ISF Country Manager
Having now established how we will run the official league in
Phnom Penh and another in Battambang, we aim to commence
with this project in late October / early November 2009. The
leagues will run to March 2010, and will provide over 1,500
children and youths in Phnom Penh and 1,000 in Battambang the
opportunity to participate.
ISF will also use the league to bring grassroots football to the
children aged between 6 and 10 years within the organisations
we currently serve. This programme was piloted on 30th August
with 60 children from 5 organisations and proved a great
success.
ISF v A New Day
The Seasiders v ISF
Onslow Girls v ISF
ISF Staff
Profile
Krourch Kakada
In March 2009, when ISF moved to the new premises in Stung
Meanchey, Krourch Kakada was hired on a full time basis as our
daytime security guard. In May, when we decided to outsource the
security jobs, we wanted to keep Kakada working for us as he had
proved to be a valuable member of our staff, always going above
and beyond. At the time we were looking for a driver for our
football programme, and having tested out quite a few
unsuccessful candidates, we asked Kakada if he was interested in
the position. After a few weeks of lessons Kakada successfully
passed the driving test and he became the full time driver of our
Football Programme. His salary and the running cost of our
football truck are generously sponsored by Maruhan Japan Bank.
In addition to learning to drive our truck Kakada participated in
and completed the D-License training course with the Football
Federation of Cambodia. By completing this course, it allows us to
have an extra coach on hand should a training session require it!
Well done Kakada!
The Australian members of ISF call Kakada by his nickname, Lorry!
P AGE 6
I S S UE 5
Visit by The British International School, Shanghai
….by By Kate Griffin, ISF Country Manager
In June ISF was delighted to welcome the students of The British International
School in Shanghai, who came to volunteer with us at our Stung Meanchey
Education Centre. While here, our Flying Tigers football team challenged the
students from Shanghai to a football match. The visitors put up a very brave fight
but in the end the climate and skill were on the side of the Cambodian team. The
score was 3-0 to ISF at half time and 5-1 to ISF at the final whistle! In addition to
helping out at our centre, the Shanghai students brought several hundred pairs of
football boots to support the players in our programme.
A HUGE thanks to Nic who organised the trip. We look forward to the re-match
next year!!!
“ Kids still talk about it as the best thing that ever
“”
happened to them EVER!!! Several will be
coming back to work for you when we come out.
Nic Tanner, teacher, The British International School, Shanghai
Thank You!
ISF has again seen a lot of support from organisations, schools
and football clubs.
Thank you to:
ANZ Royal Bank for committing to sponsoring the Battambang League for the next
3 years (Cambodia)
Australian Embassy (Cambodia)
Megan Walsh and Julia Brogan – our Canadian and Australian volunteers
British Embassy (Cambodia)
Catherine Brosnan and Catherine Keane and the people of Kerry (Ireland)
Paul Gallagher and St Patrick’s Sutherland FC (Australia)
Kym Griffen, Griffen Creative (Australia)
Amanda Hayes (Hong Kong)
Ulli Niedermeyer and Asia Pacific Sports Management (Singapore)
Nic Tanner and the students and staff from The British International School,
Shanghai
P AGE 7
I S S UE 5
Contact Us
Peter Slater
CLS Group Holdings
Exchange Tower
One Harbour Exchange Square
London E14 9GE
UNITED KINGDOM
[email protected]
Leo Brogan
Brogan & Scaltrito
GPO Box 5024
Sydney NSW 2001
AUSTRALIA
[email protected]
Robert Gazzi
PricewaterhouseCoopers
22/F, Prince's Building
Central
HONG KONG
[email protected]
Dates to Remember
2009
October
23-24
29
31
Angkor 10’s Rugby Tournament
King’s Coronation Day (Norodom Sihamoni)
King Father’s Birthday (Norodom Sinanuk)
November
1-3
8
9
19-21
Bonn Om Touk (Water Festival)
ISF/SALT Football League commences
Independence Day
UWCSEA students and teachers visit ISF
December
ISF Trustees
Peter Slater (Chairman)
Paul Markland (Secretary)
Myra Markland
Martin Cubbon
Mark Ashall
Michael Brogan
Robert Gazzi
Leo Brogan
ISF (Australia) Limited - Directors
Peter Church (Chairman)
Neil Cutler (Secretary)
Tracey Steggall
David Lewis
Michael Brogan
Leo Brogan
www.indochinastarfish.org
6
10
Angkor Wat International Half Marathon
Human Rights Day
2010
March
13
20
Girls Tournament
Boys Tournament