Press Release

With hundreds of boys and girls learning to play the United Way in various parts of Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines in recent years, Manchester United Soccer Schools are now launching a new series of programs for enthusiastic young players in Indonesia.

For the first time, MUSS will be delivering a series of three courses from its latest skills development program in Jakartafrom 24th June to 4th July 2012. Coaches from Manchester United Soccer Schools in the UK will travel to Indonesia to deliver the latest MUSS curriculum sessions, based on training methods employed by the famous Manchester United club, from the Academy right through to the First Team.

All players, regardless of skill level or experience, will be invited to further their own development, both on and off the field, by taking part in a series of challenging and fun coaching sessions looking at all aspects of the game. Under the guidance of the MUSS coaches, players will be encouraged to express themselves, play without any fear of failure, and look to transfer their skills into a number of small sided games.

Practical coaching sessions will encourage young players to play high quality, exciting and attacking football, by analysing how players like Rooney, Evra and Valencia dominate 1v1 situations, how they combine to attack and finish with style.

"Manchester United have so many passionate young fans in Indonesia that we're delighted to be able to take this training experience to them and provide this opportunity to play like a United player," said Edoardo Abis, Head of Manchester United Soccer Schools. "Hopefully we can continue to add further programs to our initiative in Southeast Asia so that we can have a lasting impact on the personal and technical development of many boys and girls in the region."

A series of three-day skills development courses will take place at the Asiop Apacinti Soccer Field Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, Senayan, Jakarta. The courses are open to boys and girls from the age of 7 to 16 years old. All players will receive an exclusive Manchester United Soccer Schools / Nike training kit, a goody bag including a skills ball and drinks bottle, as well as a MUSS player book.

All players attending the courses will take part in the MUSS series of skills challenges with selected players from different age groups taking part in the Southeast Asia Skills Finals to be held at a later date. From this event, one deserving player will win the opportunity to take part in the World Skills Finals in Manchester and get the chance to play on the Old Trafford pitch before a Premier League game.

Following the recent successful series of skills development programs in South East Asia earlier this year, Manchester United Soccer Schools are delighted to announce its latest series of programs to take place in Singapore.

A team of coaches from Manchester will travel to Singapore in November to deliver the latest MUSS curriculum sessions, based on methods employed by Manchester United, from the Academy right through to the First Team, encouraging young players to play high quality, exciting and attacking football.

All players, regardless of skill level or experience, will be invited to further their own personal and technical development by taking part in a series of challenging and fun coaching sessions looking at all aspects of the game. Under the guidance of the MUSS coaches, players will be encouraged to express themselves, play without any fear of failure, and look to transfer their skills into a number of small sided games.

A three day skills development course will take place at Tanjong Katong Secondary School (23rd-25th November), and for the first time a residential course will be available at Simei ITE College (3rd-5th December). For fanatical young football players this is the ideal chance to play, eat and live football intensively in a positive social environment.

All players will receive an exclusive Manchester United Soccer Schools / Nike training kit, a goody bag including a skills ball and drinks bottle, as well as a MUSS player book.

Selected players from these programs will also be invited to take part in the 2011 South East Asia Skills Final, with one lucky winner being given the opportunity to travel to Manchester later next year and attend the World Skills Final.

This year, Alex Leal, who qualified by attending the recent programs in Singapore, was fortunate enough to represent South East Asia during the weekend of the West Brom game. Highlights of his trip included playing at the Manchester United training facility at Carrington, meeting the First Team players, being coached by First Team coach Rene Meulensteen and United Legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as well as playing on the famous Old Trafford pitch before the game.

Manchester United Soccer Schools are delighted to announce that we will be delivering skills development programs in the Philippines for the first time this summer, and are also returning to Singapore again.

This latest series of programs will offer young players in South East Asia the chance to train and play like the Manchester United first team squad, with the emphasis on playing with confidence, flair and passion. The coaching sessions will focus on seven different areas; dribbling, turning, short passing, receiving and control, finishing, defending, and football fitness.

MUSS coaches from the UK will focus on creating a positive learning environment so that all players, regardless of their age, experience or ability, will have the opportunity to reach their own level of potential. Learning to play the United Way involves working as a team, having a positive attitude, and most importantly, having fun.

When asked about the Manchester United Soccer Schools programs, Sir Alex Ferguson said "As you know we've always supported and nurtured youth here at this Club and there's no doubt young people are the future of the game. The kids on these Soccer Schools courses get to express themselves in a coaching environment that's taken its lead from the work Rene Meulensteen used to do at our Academy. That's the model they work off, so the kids coming to these courses are getting the same sort of coaching and using the same drills our Academy players use."

All players attending the programs will take part in the MUSS series of skills challenges with selected players from different age groups taking part in the South East Asia Skills Final in June. From this event one lucky player will win the opportunity to take part in the 2010 World Skills Final in Manchester. Last year's winner in South East Asia, Park Suk Kyu, travelled to the UK in October 2009, trained at the famous Carrington training ground, met the Man Utd first team, and played on the pitch at Old Trafford before the game against Blackburn Rovers.

Spaces are limited so register now to guarantee a place.

Venue : Tanjong Katong Secondary School (TKSS)

Date : 1^st June - 5^th June 2010

Ages : 7 - 18

Times : 8am - 11am (Morning session) or 4pm - 7pm (Afternoon session)

Price : S$498

Open to boys and girls of all abilities.

Capacity of 128 players (64 am / 64 pm).

Each program will last 3 hours per day for 5 days (15 hours training).

All players will receive a full Manchester United Soccer Schools / Nike kit, a goody bag and player book.

Manchester United Soccer Schools skills winner from South East Asia experiences dream trip to Old Trafford

Manchester United Soccer Schools student Seok Kyu Park has recently returned from competing in the MUSS World Skills Final event held at the Manchester United training ground, Carrington, and the famous Old Trafford stadium.

Earlier this year, Seok Kyu Park, age 15, achieved the highest score at the South East Asia Skills Final in Singapore and flew to Manchester last weekend to compete against MUSS players from around the globe in the World Skills Finals.

The young winner played on the Old Trafford pitch before the Manchester United vs. Blackburn Rovers game on 31st October and took part in a coaching session the day before the game delivered by Manchester United's first team coach Rene Meulensteen and reserve team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who were both impressed with the skill levels on display.

"If you think about the age group, when I compare it to when I was that age, the skills they know now are a big, big difference. But I've tried to teach them to go back to basics; receiving and passing it, which for me are the most important things in football," Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

When asked about the World Skills Final, Sir Alex Ferguson said "As you know, we've always supported and nurtured youth here at this club and there's no doubt young people are the future of the game. The kids on these Soccer Schools courses get to express themselves in a coaching environment that's taken its lead from the work Rene Meulensteen used to do at our Academy. That's the model they work off, so the kids coming to these courses are getting the same sort of coaching and using the same drills our Academy players use."

Other features of Seok Kyu Park's fantastic trip included a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet members of the first team, including his hero, Ji Sung Park, getting the chance to watch the players train, and being able to hold the exclusive Premiership trophy currently held by the Red Devils.

Each Manchester United Soccer Schools program in South East Asia involves participation in the Skills Challenges, and all players have the opportunity to win a place at next year's South East Asia Skills Final, with a winner selected to represent the programs at the 2010 World Skills Final in Manchester.

Registration for the next MUSS program in December in Singapore can be done via the MUSS website www.muss-sea.com or for more information call .

Manchester United Soccer Schools will be returning to Singapore and for the first time in Malaysia in June 2009 to deliver their latest skills development program. This series of coaching sessions will focus on how the midfield players at Manchester United train to develop the techniques and skills required to dominate the midfield area. Whether you want to go past defenders like Ronaldo, pass with accuracy and imagination like Carrick, or whether you want to manipulate and control the ball like Paul Scholes, this program will give you the tools and confidence to play the United Way.

Also, one lucky player from these programs in South East Asia will be selected to take part in the World Skills Final in Manchester and will enjoy the once in a lifetime opportunity to play on the Old Trafford pitch before a Premiership game next season.

Due to the huge support for Manchester United within South East Asia, and the fantastic enthusiasm for the Club within the region, Manchester United Soccer Schools recognise the importance of being able to deliver programs in this area of the world. Under the guidance of a team of coaches flying in from the UK, young boys and girls from throughout the Singapore region will enjoy this exciting chance to train just like their heroes in Man Utd's first team.

The delivery of the program will be based on the Manchester United Soccer Schools Development Model, where all players, regardless of background or ability, will be encouraged to grow in a variety of areas. All individuals will be challenged to develop their technical skills, tactical understanding, physical and mental skills, but will also come together in a positive learning environment to interact and develop their confidence and social skills.

After the success of the first ever Manchester United Soccer Schools program in Singapore last year, we are delighted to be able to offer a new series of courses for 2009.

As current Premiership champions, Champions League winners and World Club champions, Manchester United know how important it is to keep working hard and practising to stay at the top of their game. First team stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand are always looking at new ways of sharpening their existing skills and developing their all round play to improve as both individuals and team players.

A team of Manchester United Soccer Schools coaches will once again travel from the UK especially to deliver this latest program during the week of 16th - 20th March. The course offers an ideal opportunity for young players in Singapore to continue their development with us both on and off the field and take their standard of play to the next level.

The innovative Manchester United Soccer Schools coaching curriculum, based on the Club's famous Academy, and the MUSS Development Model, will challenge all players, regardless of ability, to achieve success in a variety of areas. The sessions will look at the different techniques and skills required to dominate 1v1 situations, as well as analysing the decision making process in all areas of the field.

Can you be hard to beat as a defender, creative in midfield areas, and finally take your chance in the final third?

NEW! - For the first time this year all players attending the programs will have the opportunity to compete for a place in the 2009 South East Asia Skills Final, the winner of which will take part in the World Skills Final in the UK later in the year. This once in a lifetime opportunity will see one player travel to Manchester to compete against young players from all over the world, as well as having the honour of playing on the famous Old Trafford pitch before a Premiership game.

Manchester United has a great heritage and a long history of developing young players who are encouraged to express themselves and play with flair and confidence. Now you too can learn to play the United way. So come along and play with your friends, or make new friends, and play like Champions!

For further information :

Aide Iskandar (h/p: 96559525, Email: aide@muss.sg)

Diana Zulkepli (h/p: 81391906, Email: diana@muss.sg)

PRESS BRIEF

15th Nov 2008

Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) will be conducting a youth soccer coaching course in Singapore from 9-13th December 2008.

Boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 16 will be offered the opportunity to make the most of their ability through a specially tailored course. The emphasis will be as much on personal development of the children as it is on soccer skills. Creating confidence both on and off the pitch is a key element of all MUSS programs, but most of all it is about having fun through football.

Manchester United Soccer Schools will use the latest training equipment and coaching techniques at Tampines SAFRA to help young players improve their skills in a fun and friendly environment.

Every player on the 5-day course will have the chance to take part in a number of unique skills tests which are designed using the Club's coaches and players and specifically tailored so that all participants, regardless of age, can compete on level terms. Two lucky winners will be chosen to represent Singapore at the 2009 MUSS UK Residential course alongside players from over 70 different countries.

A team of highly qualified MUSS coaches will travel from the UK to host the course and will be assisted by carefully selected local coaches to help support the development of the game in the region.

Manchester United Soccer Schools' operation in Singapore joins international operations in Dubai, South Africa, Australia and Europe. This is an incredible opportunity for children of all ages and abilities to learn to play with the style and traditions of one of the worlds' greatest soccer clubs.

For more information or to book a place on the first Manchester United Soccer Schools course in Singapore, please visit www.muss.sg.

Details of Inauguration Ceremony and MUSS Course are as follows:

Inauguration Ceremony Held In Conjunction with Community Social Responsibility (CSR) Charity Event on the 8th December.

Guest-of-Honor
Mr Zainudin Nordin (Mayor, Central CDC and Deputy President, Football Association of Singapore)

Date : 8th December 2008
Venue : Tampines SAFRA
Time : 1630hrs - 1830hrs

MUSS 5-Day Course

Dates : 9th - 13th December 2008
Age Group : 8 to 16 Session
Times Morning : 8am - 11am OR Afternoon: 4pm - 7pm
Cost : S$525.00 (Inclusive of meals) Participants 64 per session

Contacts for Further Information

Aide Iskandar ( aide@muss.sg : HP 92450882)

Diana ( diana@muss.sg ) General Enquiry

Sarah ( sarah@muss.sg : HP 84366246 ) Registration Matters

NOTES FOR EDITORS

• Manchester United Soccer Schools is a recreational grass-roots coaching business based at Old Trafford, Manchester, in the UK.
• The Manchester United Soccer Schools' mission is: To be the best club-endorsed coaching program in the World.
• The Manchester United Soccer Schools coaching program has been developed, together with the MUFC Youth Academy, to deliver courses focusing on individual success and achievement.
• Since Manchester United Soccer Schools began in 1999, over 90,000 children, from around the world, have benefited from this unique experience.
• Manchester United Soccer Schools follows a holistic approach highlighting the importance of youth development off the training field as well as on it. Players are instructed in the importance of 'Life Skills' by following the Manchester United Soccer Schools Code of Conduct: o Attitude o Behaviour o Communication o Discipline o Enthusiasm o Fair Play
• Manchester United Soccer Schools have over 150 UEFA licensed coaches working for them, all are Manchester United Soccer Schools trained.
• Throughout all of the courses last year (International and UK), Manchester United Soccer Schools coached children for over 140,000 hours.

MUSS Philosophy

• To provide a positive football coaching experience.
• To create a close affinity with Manchester United Football Club.
• To inspire a lifelong passion for the game

UK Based Soccer Programs

• Manchester United Soccer Schools deliver courses for individuals and clubs throughout the UK and Ireland. Over 3000 players participate during 2008.
• The 6-day Residential programs, offer players from around the world a 24/7 insight into life as a young professional at Manchester United. Over 3000 players attended during 2008.
• In 2007, children from over 75 countries attended MUSS residential programs.

International

• MUSS also delivered both short and long term programs in a diverse range of countries including Dubai, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Hong Kong, USA, China, Japan, Korea and India.
• Visit www.manutdsoccerschools.com for more details.

PRESS BRIEF

Two lucky youngsters from Singapore will be spending a week at a Manchester United Soccer Schools Residential course after impressing at the recent course there.

Loo Yi Wei, 15, and Dylan Leong, 8, earned a trip to the Residential course after coming out top in their age groups on the 5-day skills course. The youngsters were among the 158 children, aged 8-16, who took part in the course, held at Safra Tampines, Singapore.

Loo Yi and Dylan will now represent their city-state at the 2009 MUSS UK Residential course, alongside players from over 70 different countries.

Guest of honour at the inauguration of the latest course was Mr Zainudin Nordin Mayor of Central CDC and Deputy President for the Football Association of Singapore. He said: "By having Manchester United here, we hope that this will attract more people to participate and raise awareness for football development."

Head coach for the course, Robin van der Laan, said he was delighted with the success of the Singapore course.

“Manchester United's global support is huge, so it's always nice to be able to take a piece of the club closer to fans unable to get to Manchester to watch the team,†he said. "The club has a unique, attacking style of football and the Soccer Schools aims to pass playing the United way onto youngsters " all across the world.

"Our courses are not only about helping the development of young players. It is as much about helping them develop as young people. And we always aim to help the local coaches by passing on our expertise, in order to help support the development of the game in the region."

Emma Savage, general manager of the Soccer Schools, added: "We enjoy a huge following in Singapore, so this was a chance for our fans to interact with the club and its philosophy."