Development Grants: Building community and capacity in Cambodia

By Chris McAsey

An AFL Asia Development Grant is helping to build the foundation for Cambodia’s future as a footy stronghold in Asia.

The grant has provided Phnom Penh based Cambodian Eagles Football Club with resources to expand its local Kick2Kick program and to employ local coaches – a key to building long-term capacity.

Kick2Kick Head of Development Matt Blomberg said the Cambodian Eagles have a proud history of running AFL programs in the community.

‘Our first wave of indigenous club members came via a partnership with an Australian-funded orphanage in Phnom Penh more than 10 years ago,’ he said.

‘Our central focus has always been the development of local talent. That first generation of local talent now forms the core of our club – players, volunteers, coaches and officials that are now well known in Asian footy.’

 

That original group of players includes three-time All-Asia women’s representative Srey Mich Phat, player, coach and elite level umpire Poeu Sophoan and veteran men’s captain Nas Nan.

Srey Mich and Sophoan are involved in the AFL Asia-funded Kick2Kick program, where the Eagles partner with schools and children’s homes to deliver AFL clinics and coaching sessions.

Taking the lead role in Kick2Kick with a small salary helped Srey Mich to continue with her studies. Now, she’s graduated from the Royal University of Fine Arts and is teaching art at an international school in Phnom Penh.

‘The salary from Kick2Kick gave me the freedom to focus on my studies,’ Srey Mich said. ‘That’s something I’ll always be grateful for.’

Matt said the Kick2Kick program is a two-pronged development program.

‘On one level, our indigenous coaches are in schools introducing young Cambodians to the basics of football, engaging as many as possible, while also training more advanced groups.’

‘On a second level, the program helps to develop our next generation of leaders and coaches, with Asian footy legend Sophoan playing mentor to less-experienced coaches.’

It’s almost become a cliche to say that Cambodia punches way above its weight on the international footy stage. But there’s no doubt a sustained focus on community-based development was the catalyst for Cambodia’s stunning results at the Asia Cup last December, when both the men’s and women’s teams reached the Grand Final.

Cambodian footy’s home-grown heroes are now inspiring a new generation of players. When Eagles’ young guns are asked to name their favourite AFL players, they invariably name stars of Cambodia’s national team, rather than AFL players.

Two examples are Tey and Pov, who recently debuted for the Eagles against Indonesia after just two years in the Kick2Kick program.

Tey, who kicked a goal in the resounding victory, names goal sneak Khoun Sreyleap and ruck Prom Puthyda as her favourite players, while Pov names women’s captain Koun Sreylak and Srey Mich Phat.

Matt said that while Tey wasn’t the most naturally gifted athlete in the program, she became the standout in her group.

‘She was a typically shy young Cambodian girl. But she decided she wanted to be good at Aussie Rules and just went for it,’ he said.

‘Now she’s helping Srey Mich run the coaching classes, passing on what she has learned at senior training to the younger girls.’

Tey said that playing footy has made her ‘much stronger’.

‘I’m more confident in myself,’ she said. ‘If someone was to try and push me around, I can stand on my own two feet now.’

Tey said she has dreamed of representing Cambodia in an international competition since she started training.

‘The harder I train, the better I play,’ she said. ‘I want to be like Coach (Srey Mich)!’

Pov said that when she first decided to try Aussie rules, she imagined the game would be similar to soccer.

‘When I started to learn, I realised that it’s completely different,’ she said.

‘I had never seen anything like it, but it’s so much fun!’

Arriving for her debut match against Indonesia, Pov had some nervous moments.

‘When I saw the Indonesian women arrive at the ground, oh my god, I was counting them: Big, big, big, big!’

‘I was so nervous, so scared. But then I realised: if I think like a loser, I will lose.’

Matt said that the most recent AFL Asia grant will enable the Eagles to expand their programs.

‘Our reach cuts across the full spectrum, from children in the country’s best private schools to Phnom Penh’s poorest communities,’ he said.

‘We’re providing them with avenues to continue playing the sport and laying the foundations for a new generation of coaches and leaders.’

The Eagles focus on developing leadership skills is also helping to drive generational change at a community level.

‘Our local players are our greatest asset,’ Matt said. ‘They are wonderful ambassadors for their communities and the sport.’

‘Having mostly come from extremely difficult backgrounds, they provide real hope to kids living in similarly challenging settings.’