A talented and promising youngster in his early teens, my cousin as it happens, was signed to a Midlands-based Division One club academy. While at the academy he exceled to higher skill and fitness levels showing promise to follow a career as a professional footballer.

Then out of the blue a bombshell. His coach sat him down and gave him a big dose of reality; ” Son, you’re showing great promise… but, there’s no way you’re going to be able to play professional football. Asian kids just don’t make it through for some reason. I like you and want to make sure you have a back-up plan. Get an education.

The talented footballer became a talented lawyer.

What are the reasons Asian kids don’t make it to professional level? Family support? Physical build? Diet and nutrition? Discipline? Mental focus? Lack of hunger to make strong tackles? Desire for success? Belief in their ability?

Well i’ve heard all these reasons and many more to boot. The fact is that many of these reasons are valid, but things are changing. Asians kids are changing.

BELIEF.

That’s the level where change needs to take place and the signs are that gradually it’s happening.  Asian kids are beginning to believe in themselves on the football pitch. Parents are beginning to believe in their kids ability but the fear of rejection still bears down hard on how much support they are willing to provide.

Education and a professional career is still a priority, with responsibility for football being placed firmly in the hands of their club coaches, many of whom are part-time coaches competing in the Sunday leagues.

This is where the problem starts… this is where the solution can start.

Technology has given us the ability to garner the knowledge, skills and ability to provide our kids with the support, focus, nutritional needs, discipline and coaching needs to forge a career as professional footballers.

What’s important to realise is that we are all given the exact number of hours in a day. It’s what we do productively to help our kids reach their goals that counts.

Help is all around. The trick is in finding help in identifying the areas that need work and following through with commitment.

Our commitment at asian soccer star is to provide that help.