Asia

Groundbreaking football coaching programme delivered across Asia in partnership with AIA, our Global Principal Partner.

As part of the Club’s ongoing partnership with AIA, our authentic Tottenham Hotspur coaching team have delivered a raft of coaching programmes and associated activities. Two fully-qualified members of our Global Football Development coaches are based permanently in Asia to work with players of all levels, nurturing local talent and promoting AIA’s initiative to encourage healthier, longer, better lives.

AIA and Tottenham Hotspur in Asia

Tottenham Hotspur Development coaches have directly worked with around 10,000 participants in the past 12 months, as well as over 500 coaches. They have worked with a wide and diverse range of talent including grassroots to elite players, coaches and AIA employees using renowned coaching methods developed within the Tottenham Hotspur Academy.

The coaches have worked in locations across Asia including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam. They have supported AIA's brand positioning of leading 'Healthier, Longer, Better Lives' by promoting exercise and nutrition across a variety of activities.

The coaches also help to identify talent and ensure an appropriate player development pathway is defined for them.

Hong Kong Football Club Partner Programme

We are delighted to have teamed up with Hong Kong Football Club to provide young players across the country with the opportunity to train with our Football Development coaches, bringing the same coaching methods used at our Training Centre for our Academy and First Team.

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"We couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with Spurs and the impact the coaches have had on our business in Asia."
Adrian New, Director of football iniciatives, AIA

Introducing the Coaches

Anton Blackwood
  • Former Tottenham Hotspur professional football player
  • UEFA 'B licence
  • MSc strength & conditioning
  • Former Antigua international player
  • Tottenham Hotspur Academy sports Science intern
  • Development Centre Coach
  • Spurs Ladies strength & conditioning coach
  • International development coach

 

Shaun Harris
  • Achieved a Sport Science professional football coaching degree
  • UEFA 'B' licence
  • Worked for Spurs across primary schools, community projects and equality & inclusion programmes
  • Conducted domestic & international player development & coach education programmes
  • Head coach for Spurs Ladies U20 squad
  • Foundation phase Academy coach

 

What the Coaches do...

Schools

The coaches delivered weekly curriculum PE lessons to over 200 students aged six - 16 years old at Harrow International and Kellet International Schools in Hong Kong. Subjects covered included football, fundamental movements, nutrition and psychology as well as training with the schools football teams.

 

Charity Work

Charity work has been vital during the coach's time in Asia. The Club and AIA work in partnership with charities including the Indochina Starfish Foundation to run grassroots training sessions. Not only did the players show development in their game but they also extended their understanding of the English language.

 

AIA Employees

To encourage AIA staff to live healthier, longer, better lives, the coaches have led education, nutrition and leadership workshops for 500 employees

We have also organised the ‘AIA Championship’ – a regional five-a-side tournament for 1,000 employees and affiliates from 11 Asian markets with the final being held at the Club’s world-class Training Centre in London.

 

Governing Bodies

Our initiatives have been kindly supported by governing bodies such as Hong Kong FA, Thai Premier League and the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs. These programmes have included coach education sessions to hundreds of grassroots coaches who then went on to work with over 15,000 young players, passing on the Tottenham Hotspur training methods and philosophy.

 

Player Development

Our coaches identify talented players and coaches, creating a pathway for them to progress to a professional level. As part of this, we hold elite training camps at an AIA sports facility in Phuket, Thailand.

Case Studies

One player that has impressed the coaches with his desire to learn and improve his game is Nathan, 13, from Jakarta, Indonesia. Despite never receiving any professional coaching before, he showed excellent technical skills and a positive attitude and has been invited back to the next elite camp.

Aldi, 26, also from Jakarta, showed a natural ability to coach and, since working with our team, has adapted his coaching philosophy. This year, his Under 13 team won the local league and his Under 16 team reached the quarter final of the Indonesia National Cup – their biggest achievement to date.