
Steffen supports AIA charity initiative in Shanghai
Wed 19 November 2014, 10:55|
Tottenham Hotspur
Steffen Freund joined members of our Global Coaching team in Shanghai, China, last week as part of our continued work with principle partner AIA in developing football at grassroots level across the Asia-Pacific region.
A new ‘Coach the Coaches’ programme was launched by the AIA China Youth Development Fund at Shixi Primary School, and saw the Club legend deliver educational workshops to 40 PE teachers from rural China, alongside Tony Tillbrook and another former Spur, David Kerslake.
The first day saw participants take part in classroom-based theory sessions around the delivery of coaching drills and football tournaments.
Participants then got to put what they learnt into practice by putting on a tournament for 25 of the school’s children on the second day, with the winners taking home trophies.
The aim of the programme is to improve the quality of grassroots coaching for children in some of China’s most underprivileged communities, using the unique coaching philosophy of the Tottenham Hotspur Academy.
While in Shanghai, Steffen also visited our Official Supporters Club in the city – one of six across China and Hong Kong, and over 100 throughout the world.
Steffen said: “It was great to see the coaches that we work with learn so much from the expertise passed on by Tony and David over the two days.
“Their enthusiasm for the game is clear to see, and they will now go back to their communities with far greater confidence and knowledge to be able to provide young children better opportunities to play.
“It demonstrates what an important role the Club and its Global Coaching team can play in developing the game in the Far East, working in partnership with AIA.”
During the two-day event, AIA Board members helped raise RMB 59,600 for the AIA China Youth Development Fund through a series of fun football games and challenges.
It follows on from the RMB 1m raised with the help of Steffen taking part in a recent Trek of the Great Wall of China, alongside representatives of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and AIA staff.