Close to 400 children, parents, coaches, and football aficionados attended the Quezon City launch of Football Starts at Home (FSAH) on Friday at the University of the Philippines Film Institute Film Center.
Football Starts At Home, a movement created by Philippine Football Federation (PFF) consultant Tom Byer, is aimed at introducing the game to Filipino children starting 3 years old for them to develop ball mastery at a young age.
The program features basic ball manipulation skills that can be learned through instructional videos that will be accessible for free. Parents are encouraged to introduce these skills to their young children disguised as play time, and be their first “coaches” in a safe and nurturing environment in the comfort of their homes. This bonding will give children confidence and support, and will help create a positive experience in the family.
The advantages of Football Starts at Home go beyond learning the beautiful game. With this holistic approach, children do not only benefit physically, but mentally as well. Studies have shown that since the neuroscience involved in learning ball manipulation enhances the learning abilities of children.
PFF had initially kicked off its FSAH program with launch events held in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Central Visayas, and Central Luzon this last week of June. In the comings weeks and months, the PFF will launch and activate the program in more Regional Football Associations.
FSAH founder Coach Tom Byer, who has been coaching in Japan for more than 30 years is very excited about the prospects of spreading the program throughout the Philippines. “We have a long history of developing this program in Japan, regarded as one of the top footballing countries at least in our confederation. This program has already been proven and tested and has got great results,” Byer said, explaining that kids exposed to football at such an early age can sharpen their minds and make the game easier for them as they grow older.
In his presentation, Byer showed video documentations of his son’s and other children’s football journey from toddler (starting at home) to grade school (as member of his varsity team), as well as an excerpt of a University of Houston peer reviewed study, affirming the effectiveness of FSAH.
“This is a flagship program that we believe will revolutionize Philippine football, not in the short term, not in the near future, but in the long term,” PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez said, describing FSAH as “football training disguised as child’s play time.”
“There has always been this belief, in my opinion, a misconception, that grassroots development should start between the ages of six and twelve. This program will prove that learning football can start much, much earlier,” Gutierrez explained. “We are excited to have come across this program. This is an initiative that PFF believes will change the landscape of Philippine football, not in the near future, but moving along preparation of the nationals. . . in around six, eight, ten, or twelve years.”
Byer emphasized the FSAH “is not just [for] the two to five year old kids, but it’s the parents that have the vital role [in this program].”
“This really is a reset button that starts with the very bottom,” Byer said regarding FSAH’s role in the Philippines’ football program in general.
For his part, Gutierrez reiterated that PFF’s grassroots program for school-age kids (seven to twelve) and teenagers will continue, through its existing Football for Schools and Center for Excellence programs.
The FSAH Quezon City launch ended with PFF’s symbolic turnover of footballs to the Quezon City Government represented by Councilor Vito Sotto Generoso and Assistant City Administrator for General Affairs Rene Grapilon, alongside National Capital Region Football Association president Mico Gutierrez.
