By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports

saturday night lights central

80 youths under the CAG-SNL Central programme gather for a group photo with guest-of-honour Mr Tan Chuan-Jin and Mr Lim Teck Yin. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)

vision 2030 live better through sports

ITE College Central, Saturday, January 25, 2014 — Under a new partnership between Changi Foundation and SportCares Foundation, 80 underprivileged and at-risk youths will now have an opportunity to train up their football skills every Saturday evening with the launch of the Changi Airport Group-Saturday Night Lights (CAG-SNL) Central programme.

An initiative by the SportCares Foundation, the programme takes underprivileged and at-risk youths off the streets on a Saturday night to give them formal football training and a healthy meal at the end of it — without charge. The foundation was set up by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) to drive social good through sport and is one of the recommendations of Vision 2030. The first edition of the Saturday Night Lights (SNL) programme was launched in Jurong Stadium in May 2013.

Changi Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Changi Airport Group (CAG), is the first corporate sponsor of SNL in the Central district of Singapore. From 7-10 p.m. every Saturday, participants from NorthLight School, Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC), and CAG staff volunteers gather at ITE College Central for a time of football training as well as skills and character development.

Mr Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of CAG said, “Our partnership was first conceived to make a difference to the lives of the youths, and we are elated to learn that many of them have demonstrated commitment, improved discipline and confidence through this programme. Our CAG staff volunteers have also benefited from the opportunity to train with and mentor these youths. CAG’s long-term goal is to encourage more Singapore organisations to join us in our community outreach programmes to help more youths in need.”

Besides skills and strength trainings, participants will go through workshops that include first-aid, nutrition and job interview skills. With the second edition, about 300 youths have benefited from the SNL programme.

At the launch event, 10 youths, nominated by their coaches and peers, were recognised as the Most Valued Players and Most Improved Players. The nominations were based on their positive attitudes on and off
the pitch.

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Acting Minister for Manpower, was also present to kick-start the programme and join the boys in two 10-minute friendly matches. “I know that mixed in with sport training, the coaches are providing many life lessons,” said Mr Tan. “I am immensely proud of all the youths who have been putting their best forward at Saturday Night Lights.”

The participants have also recorded notable improvements in their behaviours off the pitch. “I had difficulty getting the boys to focus during the first few training sessions. Now, their discipline level has increased significantly,” said Mohamad Sofiyan, who helms strength and conditioning trainings. The Balestier Khalsa player added, “Their fitness and core stability levels are also getting better as they are gradually accustomed to the training regime.”

NorthLight student, Muhammad Arsyad, commented, “I learned many skills from SNL. Here we are expected to show respect to others and set good examples for our peers. After being given the responsibility of a captain, my behaviour has changed for the better.”

Jalal, captain of Team Ansar, said, “I have grown from bad to good to better. I have just a word to describe the whole experience – awesome.”

Mr Toh Boon Yi, Chief of Strategic Development and Marketing Group of SSC, said, “We are thinking about expanding into the different sports, as the football programme is rather small. In the long run, we hope to work with organisations who are willing to contribute to such programmes, and we will see how we can support them.”

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