BATANGAS – The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has supplied footballs for grassroots programs across Batangas under the FIFA Football4Schools (F4S) program. The Batangas Regional Football Association (BaRFA) is distributing them to youth clubs, schools, and local governments, including Tanauan City and Sta. Teresita.
“Batangas has long been a football hotspot, and these balls will reach the schools and clubs where many children first play the game. Investing in grassroots football means investing in the next generation,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez.
RYL
The distribution coincides with the launch of the PFF–RFA Youth League (RYL) in the province. Each participating club received 60 training balls for regular sessions and grassroots programs. Most of the recipients are public school-based teams, community clubs and non-profit academies. BaRFA is giving priority to organizations that have established football programs and can use the equipment in regular training.
Batangas RFA Youth League action. The FIFA F4S training balls distributed among participating clubs are an important investment to youth development in the province. (Photo from BaRFA)
“This is not simply an equipment donation. We want the resources from the PFF and FIFA to contribute directly to football development at the community level,” said BaRFA President Neko del Rosario.
“The Federation also acknowledges Coach Krysler ‘Bon’ Opeña, who mentored the Tanauan team that won the Palarong Pambansa in 2024-25.”
Tanauan and Sta. Teresita
In Tanauan City, the footballs were received by Mayor Sonny Perez Collantes, Tanauan City Women’s Coordinating Council President Atty. Cristine Collantes, and Congresswoman Ma. Theresa “Maitet” V. Collantes. Also present were Councilor Lilibeth M. Arcega, Association of Barangay Captains President Coun. Precious Germaine M. Agojo, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Coun. Ephraigme F. Bilog, and the Tanauan City Sports Development Office, led by Max Andrew Mercado.
BaRFA also commended Coach Krysler “Bon” Opeña, who mentored the Tanauan team that won the Palarong Pambansa in 2024-25 and who helped in facilitating FIFA Football4Schools in Tanauan.
The footballs will go to identified schools and community clubs for training and skills development. Mayor Collantes said the equipment will help strengthen the city’s sports development and prepare young athletes for higher levels of competition.
BaRFA also turned over footballs to the Sta. Teresita Football Club, witnessed by Mayor Norberto A. Segunial Jr. The balls will be distributed to elementary schools in the municipality. Mayor Segunial shared plans for football development in Sta. Teresita, and BaRFA pledged its full support.
Mayor Norberto Segunial, Jr. (center, in stripes) receive FIFA F4S balls in behalf of the Municipality of Sta. Teresita in Batangas. (Photo by Sta. Teresita LGU)
Building a system
BaRFA, a regular PFF member since June 2025, has named Tanauan City, Lipa City, Sta. Teresita, Balayan, Taal, Cuenca, Malvar, and Nasugbu as priority areas. It has met with the governments of Lipa, Tanauan and Sta. Teresita to discuss grassroots programs, sports infrastructure, and coaching and match official education.
BaRFA also plans to work with the Department of Education to extend the distribution to schools that qualify for the Batangas Province Division Athletic Association Meet.
On facilities, BaRFA has used the Aboitiz Pitch at The Outlets in LIMA Estate and the Labac Football Pitch in Cuenca for tournaments. It also secured the Lipa Academy for Sports, Culture and Arts pitch as a training venue, with the help of Gutierrez and the Lipa City Government.
“Equipment is only one part of grassroots development. Children also need accessible pitches, qualified coaches, educated match officials, supportive local governments and organized competitions. We will keep working with PFF, local governments, DepEd, schools, and clubs to give every Batangueño child a chance to play and grow through football,” del Rosario said.
Gutierrez commended BarFA for its work in football development in the province.
“We thank Neko del Rosario and BaRFA, the local government units, and the schools and clubs doing this work. We also thank FIFA for the Football4Schools program. The PFF will continue to support our RFAs to bring the game to young Filipinos,” Gutierrez said.
(Main photo by the Tanauan City LGU)
