GANGTOK,: Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) have announced a strategic partnership with English Premier League club Southampton FC to develop grassroots coaching system.
As part of the agreement signed between the BBFS and Southampton FC in the presence of media and other dignitaries in New Delhi, BBFS will be the International Academy Partner (IAP) of The Saints, which will enable them to get priority access to the renowned SFC Academy Performance Plan, including coaching philosophy, tactics, strategy and curricula from the under-6 to under-16 levels, besides exclusive access to the other online coaching resources, informs a press release.
The agreement also envisions building player experiences through programs like staff visits, customised camps and tournaments in England as well as in India.
The Southampton FC’s academy is known for producing world class footballing talent over decades. Some popular names to have come out of the academy include Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Alan Shearer, James Ward-Prowse, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Matthew Le Tissier and Alex Oxlade Chamberlin.
Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, Southampton Football Academy director Andy Martino, Southampton FC football development manager Tom Grevatt and BBFS co-founder and CEO Kishore Taid were present during the signing of the agreement.
Bhaichung said, “At BBFS, we have always targeted the grassroots and have been quite successful in doing so and this partnership will help us keeping up with that target. Southampton is a football club which has all the key ingredients- history, tradition, passion, pride, fighting spirit, style of play, rivalry and success.”
“With our reach and pathways now secure, the partnership with Southampton, will ensure that we plug the gaps existing better, and deliver better players for the national team and also realise some of our own ambitions. This partnership is a significant step towards raising the standard of football coaching and player development in India. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of Indian footballers, and this collaboration brings us closer to our vision of producing global football stars,” said the Indian football legend.
Matt Le Tissier remarked, “Nobody develops footballing talent better than the Saints. I have been there all my life and I can tell you that they have the most committed academy coaches and support staff which have produced some of the best players in England. Southampton academy kids are made not only for football, but to face any life challenges. Grassroots tournaments like the Southampton Cup will also be a life changing experience for the kids here.”
“This partnership is an exciting development for Indian football. At Southampton, we've always prided ourselves on nurturing young talent and helping them reach their full potential. Bringing this philosophy to India, a country with such passion and untapped potential, is a fantastic opportunity. I believe this collaboration will pave the way for many young Indian footballers to achieve their dreams and make a mark on the global stage,” he added.
Emphasis on education of coaches at the grassroots will be a key focus of the partnership with the objective of creating a steady pipeline of world-class coaches in the country.
Currently BBFS trains over 2000 coaches annually free of cost. The Saints will work closely with BBFS to implement their comprehensive coaching curriculum which will tailor to the needs of Indian coaches, combining European football techniques with local dynamics.
