ESS plans JB academy

22 March 2010 , By The Star

English Soccer School (ESS) plans to set up an academy in Johor Baru after an earlier proposal to establish a similar academy in Kota Kinabalu failed.

Youth development coach James Raj said that Johor Baru would be the best location in Malaysia for the academy.

He said the idea to set up the academy was first mooted about three years ago with Kota Kinabalu as the first choice.

However, the project did not materialise due to the lack of interest from the relevant parties in Sabah.

“We are really hoping that the academy in Johor Baru will take off this year for the benefit of Malaysian football,” Raj said in an interview.

He said if the academy gets off the ground, it would be the second in the region after the one in Singapore set up last year.

Raj said he was disappointed that the earlier plan to establish an academy in Kota Kinabalu failed but decided to give it a second try.

He said, while Singapore’s ESS catered to Singapore and nearby countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, Malaysia’s ESS would only be for local children.

Raj, a certified English Football Association Level 2 coach based in Singapore, said about 80 children were undergoing training there.

He said, apart from the Johor Youth and Sports Department and the Education Department, ESS was hoping that stakeholders of Iskandar Malaysia such as Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Iskandar Investment Bhd and UEM Land Holdings Bhd would participate in the venture.

“At ESS, children will develop attributes such as social skills, confidence, leadership, teamwork, camaraderie, determination, perseverance, integrity and sportsmanship.

“Besides coaching children from the ages of six to 17 years, ESS offers adult training for the Level 1 coaching certificate,” he said.

The school here intends to work closely with Aston Villa Football Club in its development programmes which includes training Malaysian youth.

Aston Villa, founded in 1874, is an English Premier League club based in Aston, Birmingham.

“They plans to visit several countries in the region this year for their summer tour, including having friendly matches, and we plan to bring the team to Johor Baru,” said Raj.