Shooting Stars NextGen was created for children aged 9 to 11, U9 to U11, who already have a foundation in football and are ready to take the next step.
At this age, knowing how to perform a skill is only part of the game. A child may be able to pass, dribble or shoot perfectly in a training exercise, but football becomes much harder when there is an opponent closing in, a teammate making a run, and only a second to decide what to do.
We want children to become better football players, but also better thinkers on the pitch. Our sessions are built around decision-making, creativity, game understanding and confidence. Instead of constantly telling children what to do, we give them situations to solve. They try, make mistakes, adjust, and try again.
Football is not learned by standing in lines waiting for your turn. It is learned by being involved in the game.
That is why we keep groups small. It allows us to give each player individual attention while making sure every child gets plenty of meaningful involvement and time with the ball. Our sessions are built around match situations, with plenty of touches, decisions and opportunities to solve problems. We use small-sided games, 1v1 situations, possession exercises and realistic game scenarios, with a full-pitch game at the end of every session to put the learning into practice.
Futsal is also an important part of NextGen. The smaller space and faster transitions give players less time to think and more reasons to scan, react and make decisions quickly. It complements our football sessions rather than simply repeating them.
We also coach in English. Our coaches can translate into four other languages, including Thai, so language never becomes a barrier to understanding. At the same time, children get used to communicating in English as part of their football environment. English can become an important advantage as players progress through football in Thailand and potentially towards international opportunities.
NextGen is not about collecting trophies or producing children who can perform skills for the sake of performing them. It is about helping children understand the game, become more confident in their decisions, and develop the ability to think for themselves.
We know that this environment is not suitable for every child. NextGen requires engagement, commitment, the willingness to learn and cooperation from parents or guardians. We work with a select few so that we can give each player the attention and involvement they need.
The goal is not simply to make children better at football today. It is to give them the tools to keep developing tomorrow.
