Shooting Stars FC is not a football academy and does not function as one. We do not replace academies. We are also not a business, and we do not make money from what we do. At the same time, this is not unstructured or “just for fun.” We are very intentional about how and why we teach.
At Shooting Stars FC, we run two different projects.
Our first project is the fun-based Saturday morning sessions, which have been running for over two years. These sessions were created to keep the love for football alive and to work on elements that are often overlooked in rural Thai football environments: confidence, creativity, and thinking.
These qualities can only develop when children are given the freedom to try and fail. Football does not have one single “right” solution, and we do not believe in constantly telling kids what they did wrong. Instead, we guide them, ask questions, and help them learn to make their own decisions. The goal is to create a safe environment where kids feel comfortable making mistakes, trying again, and above all, enjoying their time on the field.
On Saturdays, we welcome children born between 2015 (2557) and 2019 (2562). Our son Dylan, born in 2017, is the reason Shooting Stars FC exists. We want a group that grows with him and alongside the kids around him.
For Saturday sessions, we ask a contribution of 50 THB per child per session to help cover the field rental fee. We coach for free. If a family cannot afford the 50 THB, the child is still welcome to join. No child is excluded for financial reasons.
All sessions are conducted in English, allowing kids to naturally get used to hearing and speaking English in a relaxed, non-academic environment where they feel comfortable to try.
Our second project is NextGen, which also does not function as an academy.
NextGen is a small-group training project designed for players from different academies who already have basic football skills and want to improve quick decision-making, creativity, confidence, and overall game understanding.
We work with a maximum of 14 players per session. Trainings take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Tuesday sessions are currently full, while there are still places available on Thursdays. Players born between 2014 and 2018 are eligible to apply.
Players remain with their own academies and use what they learn with us to support their development there. We are not interested in “taking players away” from academies.
For NextGen, we ask a monthly fee. This fee is used to cover field rental, save for competition fees, and invest in equipment. Not a single satang goes into our pockets. We teach because it is our passion, not our income.
Here you can find more information about NextGen and the coaches.
Click here to find the information in Thai.
You will not see Shooting Stars FC participating in competitions with large cash prizes. These environments do not align with our values. We do not believe children should compete for money, as it often creates pressure and behaviour that go against healthy development.
So why do you sometimes see us join small-sided competitions such as 3v3? Because we see them as an extension of our training. Small-sided games require quick thinking, many touches, constant involvement, and decision-making in realistic situations. The rewards in these competitions do not create unhealthy pressure.
When friendly tournaments are organised and academies are not participating, we are open to joining with the kids. As long as the focus is on learning, development, and enjoyment, it fits with what we stand for.
Shooting Stars FC exists to support children and academies, not replace them. We are not here to chase trophies or make a name for ourselves. We are here to help kids grow with confidence, freedom, and joy, while developing the skills and thinking that football requires. We are there by their side as they grow into the best version of themselves, on and off the field.
