Chang teams up with Everton to boost Thai youngsters

After striking an unprecedented deal with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona last year, the Chang-beer brewer has turned its focus inwards to help grow grassroots football at home with activities including a junior competition and coaching course. 

“Chang has been with Thai football for a long time, and one thing we always give importance to is youth development. So the priority of this project is the young generation,” said ThaiBev executive director Surapol Utinu. “Next week we will set out to find the country’s top 16 youth teams from over 100 for the national round of the Chang-Everton Junior Cup, with the winners earning a chance to train at Everton FC’s Academy. And we will hold our eighth annual ‘Chang-Everton Football Clinic’, conducted by Everton coaches for young players. 

“We will also reprise our Chang-Everton C-License Coaching Course,  a project to train local coaches, with cooperation from Everton and the Football Association of Thailand. 

Former Everton Academy director Ray Hall, who now serves as the academy’s ambassador, is happy with the progress made by the football clinic after nearly a decade in the country.

“I feel a close attachment with the kids here after having a chance to train them over the last eight years. Each year the children at the clinic seem to be better, technically. This year, they will have yet another chance to learn how to train the Everton way.”