They’re the future: Kids having fun at a training session of Galactic Ducks FC, a new football club for children aged 4-15. —SHAARI CHEMAT /The Star
PETALING JAYA: They are serious footballers, both male and female in a team, and they give their best against rivals on the field. And during training, they have a lot of fun.
Replete with colourful jerseys, stocking and boots, they are like most football clubs. But there is one big difference – Galactics Ducks FC is for kids aged as young as four and up to 15.
They have only been around for less than a year, but already the Ducks have already reached commendable milestones while creating a buzz around them.
The Kuala Lumpur-based club started to welcome children as young as four years old last September, and as they approach their one-year anniversary next month, the club currently has over 140 active youngsters.
With training sessions every Monday and Wednesday evening at the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) Football Centre in Desa Melawati, the Ducks are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of football stars.
Founded by Azman Nayan, Munir Jurish, and Wan Shahriman Yusoh, the club’s aim is to create a footballing society, which also cares for the social well-being of the children besides the on-field action.
“We want the kids to have fun. A lot of other clubs have different goals in mind with their set-up where the aim is only performance,” said Azman.
“We just want to make sure the kids get the opportunity to play the sport and be exposed to everything that comes with it. The social aspects of football is what we want them to take away from here. They are skills that would help them in the future,” said Azman.
But the Ducks can get serious too. The club recently made waves in the local football scene when their under-7 team emerged victorious as champions of the Penang Cup last month.
Additionally, the under-9 team clinched silver in the Plate category, highlighting the club’s commitment to excellence across all age groups.
Little Hercules?: A kid lifting the goal post.
Following their success in Penang, Munir said parents from other clubs seemed interested in the Ducks.
“When we were in Penang, I noticed the other coaches were approaching things in an intense way, which was completely different from what we are doing.
“Our coaches were not pressuring the kids, especially the under-7 players. Instead, they just guided them on how to play correctly and not get hung up on performance.
“In the end, that worked and we played well. The other clubs said they were interested to work with us. It is good for the kids that we don’t pressure them, but manage them in a way where there is still competitiveness,” said Munir.
The club’s social focus also extends to the parents, who get to play their own match of futsal at the KLFA Football Centre while their children train on the pitch.
Shahriman said it gives parents something to do while their children train, and more parents have been joining the activities as an avenue to get a quick workout in as well.
“It also gives the parents an opportunity to expand their social network, and we see many making connections through the club,” he said.
With a long-term plan, the Galactic Ducks are hoping to be able to expand their reach, as Azman says they want to grow the club’s brand.
“We do have the intention to expand to other states and start another branch, we hope to be able to do that soon because it is something that we have in our pipeline,” he said.
