The Vision

The St. Michael’s Soccer Academy (SMSA) was established by members of the SJI Old Boys Association (SJIOBA) who shared a common vision of helping young Josephians develop character, self esteem, personal leadership, teamwork and parent-child bonding in a structured yet fun-filled sporting environment.  Underlying this initiative is the belief that soccer can be used to develop the child’s potential based on the theory of Multiple Intelligences. 

The Academy was hence inaugurated in January 2007 with a group of 24 primary 3 boys, and is currently into its third year.

Besides aiming to provide basic soccer skills and inculcate sportsmanship, the academy also raises funds for the needy students in SJI Junior School.  Fees collected from attendees of the academy (after deducting expenses incurred in purchasing equipment and expendables) are donated to the SJI Junior Needy Students Fund and serves to help the less fortunate children through their education.  This initiative has brought together SJIOBA members, parents, volunteers and well-wishers to work towards a common but worthy cause. 

Current State and Activities

SMSA is currently co-managed by the SJIOBA and a group of parent volunteers, who have exhibited strong commitment and dedication in ensuring the success and continued viability of the Academy.  The boys in the Academy have grown and matured, not just acquiring competent football skills but also building up their character, leadership abilities , teamwork as well as friendships which hopefully will outlast their schooling days in SJI Junior. The bondings between the children and their respective parents who have actively supported and participated in the Academy’s activities have also visibly strengthened over the years.

Training sessions are held weekly on Saturdays from 8.30am to 10.30am at the grounds of SJI International School or SJI Independent (Malcolm Road). The Academy kids are coached by Leong Kok Fann (Head Coach) - a former State player and the Immediate Past President of SJIOBA, and Suresh Letchmanan (Assistant Coach), a former SAF S-League player who possesses qualified coaching credentials from the Football Association of England. They are in turn assisted by a group of parent volunteers (including members of SJIOBA) who are equipped with half decent footballing skills.

Over the 3 year period so far, besides having weekly training sessions, the boys have also participated in mini soccer tournaments, such as playing against the ACS school team during the SJI Sports Fiesta, and travelling to Malaysia for friendly matches against age-group teams.   On each of our overseas trips, the parents of the kids formed a team and played against the parents of the opposing age-group teams. These experiences have left both the children and their parents with wonderful and lasting memories.   

Upcoming Events and Initiatives

1. A forthcoming trip planned for March 2010 to either Malacca or Kuala Lumpur to play against a Malaysian LaSallian Primary School there;
    
2. A new recruitment drive to reach out to the SJI Junior Primary 3 Cohort in January 2010; and
    
3. Extension of the Program to the SJI International Elementary School Students (both boys and girls), as well as their parents of course.

All of these initiatives require an active participation and involvement of parents, who are encouraged to take on various responsibilities in the running of the Academy, such as being involved in the training sessions, taking charge of equipment and kit inventory, arranging overseas trips and friendly matches, managing finances, organizing get-togethers etc. In this regard, parental support and involvement is often critical in ensuring the long term ability of the Academy to achieve its objectives.

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