For many youngsters, summer means football academies. There are four great ones in Macao, listed below. A couple have already kicked off, but don’t fret if you haven’t yet signed up your budding Alexia Putellas or little Lionel Messi. Your kids can still join if places are available.
There are three other local academies that you may want to check out, run by Triphasic Football, F.C. Porto Macau and the Sports Bureau and Macao Football Association. But they don’t offer summer programmes. This guide is for parents and caregivers who want to keep their sporting youngsters occupied during the school break.
Tell them to pull up their socks, get booted up, and head out there.
Ivo10 Brazil Football Academy
This two-year-old academy run by coach William Gomes has something of a reputation for its intense and rigorous training regimen. Its camp this year will be held at the Roosevelt hotel, and the Olympic Sports Centre hockey field, through July and August and all kids above the age of three can join.
Gomes expects this year to be more competitive as kids strive to improve on last year’s performances. “One thing about the kids is they like to show their parents how they are growing in football,” Gomes tells Macao News.
Last year, only selected participants were offered position-specific training – that is, coaching based on a particular position in the team, such as striker or defender. This year, however, such training is open to all.
The goal is to improve at football, while also teaching kids the importance of relationships. “We use football to help the kids understand how life works, how we need each other, and how we need to love and respect one another,” says Gomes.
For details, click here and scan the QR code.
[See more: What’s next for football in Macao?]
MUST CPK Soccer Training Centre
Call it the champion’s camp. The current top team in Macao’s Liga de Elite, MUST Chao Pak Kei (CPK), are hosting a summer programme at the Macau University of Science and Technology football field from 1 July to 31 August for kids three years old and above.
MUST CPK Soccer Training Centre was forced to hold last year’s camp online due to the Covid-19 pandemic last year, so this year coaches and kids will be itching to get out there for skill-building drills and small-sided games. The club says it hopes the kids will lift their soccer skills while also building character and acquiring positive values off the pitch.
The coaching team consists of Inacio Hui, the director of MUST CPK; Diego Patriota, the three-time Macao Footballer of the Year; Domingos Chan, the former goalkeeper of the Macao team; and other players and coaches.
To sign up or for more information, scan the QR code through this link.
Benfica Macau
Benfica Macau is holding a summer camp at the Caesars Macau Golf Multisports field from 3 July to 4 August for kids aged six to 16.
Among the coaches are former Benfica Macau striker and current head coach Carlos Leonel and seasoned second coach at the club André Calado.
Kids can expect to develop not just football skills but confidence, independence, social skills, and leadership abilities. Without giving details, the programme also promises to impart “a deeper understanding and appreciation for the cultural richness of Macao” to participating youngsters.
“It’s an opportunity for them to have fun, make friends, and create lasting memories while developing important life skills,” Calado tells Macao News.
Click here for more details and to register.
[See more: Nine questions for Macao’s top centre forward Leong Ka Hang]
Macau Youth International Football Training Center
Macau Youth International and South America Soccer Macau linked up two years ago, turning two academies into one.
The academy has launched a summer camp for ages 7-14 and summer training courses for ages 3-14. The former is a residential programme, where children stay under the care of four coaches at the Roosevelt hotel from 30 July to 3 August. The latter is a two-month course in July and August throughout each week, except Wednesdays.
The four-day three-night residential camp will feature mini-games, competitions, and football training. Participants will visit different football fields and Hac Sac beach for beach soccer and other fun activities.
“It is a good opportunity for children to learn about group cooperation, mutual help and independence,” says head coach Ismael Ortega.
Have more than one interested child? There’s a sibling deal to look out for. Click on the links for more details about the summer camp or the summer course.
