All players who are vying for the 16+4 position, please be at Alexandra Hospital’s hard court by 3.30pm on 13th September 2009 for a close quarter training.

Please be punctual and notify Coach or Brandon if you would be turning up late. Lateness without prior notice would result in automatic disqualification from the selection.

Recently, schwarzstarfc.com caught up with our newly-appointed captain, Taufiq and had a short interview with him.

Q: Firstly, congratulations on your 2 Player of the Quarter awards which was chosen by Head Coach Kenneth. How did you feel after knowing that you are the 1st SSFC player to win 2 Player of the Quarter awards?

Firstly, I would like to thank our coach for noticing the capabilities that I have. Certainly, I feel delighted and over the moon and because this was very unexpected, it truly meant a lot to me. I also feel honoured as I will take these awards as something very meaningful in my life. And also to the team which is now bringing themselves up to a new level, the standard of all players will be raised and will definitely bring out the best of every player. As such, these kind of awards will be up for grabs and it will make the players show their true capabilities.

Q: You are the defensive rock of SSFC and as a defender, you do have the knack of whacking in some wonderful goals. How did your soccer affair with SSFC started?

I started with SSFC as a left full-back and I can still remember my centre-backs were the solid Iqbal and Marvin. I don’t really favour the position at first as i’m placed on my weaker foot. All I did was to give my very best in every training and matches. Till to the point, and I can’t remember when, I started to play as a centre-back knowing that this will be my position and no one can take away from me. Every match I went into, in my mind, I take it as if we are in a final. So mentality and objectives plays a part in every game. As for the goals, I love and enjoy scoring too. And why not?! A defender scoring for his team is no easy feat to be honest, and every goal is a memorable moment for me.

Q: You have been with the team for the past 3 years. What are the changes that you have seen during your time with SSFC and what do you think of Head Coach Kenneth coaching style?

The changes I can safely say is tremendous. That is only possible when we brought in our very own coach. Like most of licensed coaches out there, they are able to shape a team to a better one. To my point of view, Coach Kenneth
is helping the team progress, but how fast we are able to progress depends on how fast we are able to adapt to his style of coaching. As for now, we are able to implement what is being taught in training and put to good use in matches. Even those who do not understand it fully, applying just a portion of what is being taught to a match will make us a better than the opponents we are up against.

Q: What do you intend to achieve during your time in SSFC and in 5 years time, where do you think SSFC will be at?

I will be fighting and staying put in my position as long as i’m in SSFC. I know there are some players who want this position and I’ll be more than happy to take up the challenge. Realistically, i’m hoping SSFC can be competing  in known leagues in Singapore.

Q: Who is your inspiration, the one that you look up to in SSFC, and why so?

I have to say it’s Iqbal, a former solid centre-back in SSFC when I first came in. His encouragement and understanding of the art of defending made me a better full-back at that time.

Q: Do you believe given the right resources and luck that SSFC might one day challenge the big boys in say maybe the S-League?

Resources, yes of course we need that to be able to sustain in the high level league. Till the point where we are able to reach this level of competition, luck is out of the question. A team needs to work their way up and that hard work is what people normally rely on to reach such a stage. It will be a blissful moment to play in the bigger leagues, where a lot of Singapore citizens’ will be looking at us playing against the big guns.

On the 16/8/09…the final day of camp..with player having an exciting and partying late into the night..it was of no surprise that the players were still in bed at 8am thought there was a schdule for the final team bonding activity.Team Manager decided to call off the last activity so the players can sleep in alittle later..

By 0930hrs..players were awake and given a final briefing of the events that were to follow for the day..Everyone boarded the bus and headed off to Bukit Batok for their Laser Quest

Upon arrival..a total of 24 players gathered to play and the initiall Hotshot(Brandon) was leading the scoreboard of “killing” his rivals but fate had another plan..Remi’s team led an assualt on Brandon’s Team which pegged them back and resulted in a change of the table standing wit hYen taking over the Hotshot..everyone enjoyed their session at LaserQuest having a good workout…

All proceeded to AH tennis court while Kevin/Leonie/Weiyang/Remi headed off to buy lunch for all the players..

At 1530hrs after lucnh..players gathered before coach and had a briefing on the 9nier project and presentations were made to the players whom achieved 9NIER Status..At 1615 hrs…the time has arrived and players gathered at the field for the 2nd leg

But before the  match got underway..a surprise visit by Mr Terry Pathmanathan(Ex Captain of Singapore National Team, now current Young Lions Coach) dropped by to watch the match and also give out the Captaincy Award.

Mr Terry presented the Vice Captain and Captain award to Mr Farhan and Mr Taufiq respectively. The SSFC players roared their applause and are looking forward to both Taufiq and Farhan in leading the team into the current season

During half time Mr Terry also gave some pointers to the Schwarzians present and a token of appreciation was given to him by Team Manager Brandon for taking time off to grace this event.

With proceedings underway..Isa’s Team emerged victorious in the final agg score of 8-5..but the scoreline didnt reflect that afew scares created by Ishak’s team whom threatened a comeback not once but twice..but Isa’s team held on for the final win..

Though the players are exhausted and tired from 2 days of exciting activities..everyone grew closer and bonded together…

Players are now lookign forward to an exciting and upcoming challenging season ahead..

Team Manager would like to take this opportunity to thank afew guys whom made this soccer camp a success

1) Leonie: for the BBQ food and admin support to Team Manager Brandon in the planning

2) Yun: planning the SSFC Challenge Cup,fields and Fico

3) Kevin: For the logistics and treasurer of the team funds for the team soccer camp

4) Thava: Booking of the transport to ensure smooth and safe transportation of all players

5) Coach Kenneth for taking time off and coming to join the team in its activities

6)Helmi: for the projector,music and props for the projection of movie and soccer matches

7) Azam: takign time off from his NS committments and gathering the rest of the players for this soccer camp

Leon/Keith: for the IT support…

last but not least..to all the players whom took time off from their NS committments/family/GF /wives to attend this soccer camp..without you guys..this soccer camp wouldnt have been so successful

Thank you guys!! Once a Schwarzian , always a Schwarzian

Schwarz Star’s Annual Training Camp begun on the 14/8/09 where the committee members Brandon,Leonie,Helmi,Ishak,Kevin stayed over to prepare for the 2 day 1 night camp which will officially start on the 15/8/09

With Jason,Azri and Nas coming along to join us on the 14/8/09..the preparations went way into the night to ensure everything was in order.

On the 15/8/09..Players from the above mentioned met up with the rest of the gang at Fico Sports Hub to have a a 2 hour game of futsal..With a total of 30players gathering..the presentation of the soccer jersey was also made to Azri, Fernando and Nas..

At every camp..there was always the curse of ankle injury..at the 1st Camp..Team Manager had suffered an ankle injury..now was Siva’s turn to have the ankle injury and with Norman having a thigh strain..

Ishak and Isa both Captains for the respective  2 legged challenge went around recruiting players for their respective teams..hoping to have a hold on the much awaited glory.

The team bus came at 1300hrs to ferry the players to the Pasir Ris Costa Sands ,while Kevin,Brandon,Salehin,Helmi headed off in another direction to buy some stuff and also collect the food cooked by Salehin’s mom.

All gathered at the training camp site and the total count was 35..The 4 Captain Nominees( Kevin, Leonie,Taufiq,Farhan) gave their 1 minute of Captaincy speech as the Captain/Vice Captain for SSFC 2009-2010 will be announced on the 16/8/09

Off the players went to do their team bonding activities..and at 1615hrs, the team bus picked the players from their soccer camp to ferry them to the soccer field for the 1st leg challenge. The match ended 3-2 in Isa’s favour for the first leg.

The players were now excited with the BBQ starting in another 30mins…

At 1945hrs..players were back at the chalet and players gathered around the middle unit(because we booked 3 units) and the players watched a power point presentation and the history of whe nSSFC started in 2004 till now were unfolded..unexpectedly this screening drew lots of curious on-lookers from the opposite and nearby chalet units whom came over to peep..

Awards of presentation were also handed out to Leonie/Kevin/Helmi/Yun/Thava/Coach Kenneth/Azam for their continous support and contribution to the development of SSFC..Leon was unavailable due to his O’Level Preparations.

The POTQ was also handed out to Siva(Jan-March) and Razmy(Apr-June)..and the party begun well into the night..with the SSFC player numbers swelling up to a total of 40 ..players mingled and danced to the music dished oput by Resident DJ Mr Helmi…

The last activity was the voting for the Captaincy which was held in one of the units and the total was calculated and finalised on their very day but the announcement was only to be made on the 16/8/09

Part 2 for the 16/8/09 to follow…stay tuned