Client News
Ajax coach Huistra relishing challenge
Hong Kong, 29 April 2010 - Ajax youth coach Pieter Huistra is looking forward to bringing his team of budding stars to Hong Kong for the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens.
The Dutch giants, whose famous academy has produced more great players than any other club in world football, will be making their debut in the tournament.
“We’re delighted to participate in the Soccer Sevens,” said Huistra. “This prestigious tournament will be a good challenge for my young team.
“Ajax has always stood for the development of talent and this event is a great example of how we help form young players into excellent professionals. We very much look forward to presenting Ajax to fans in Hong Kong.”
Ajax rank as one of the world’s greatest clubs, with four European Cup triumphs and countless domestic titles to their name.
But it is their youth policy which makes them famous – the legendary Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert are just some of the dozens of internationals who have emerged from their junior set-up.
Ajax have a policy of coaching their youth teams in exactly the same way as the first team, so that youngsters are used to the club’s style of play when they make the step up. The “Ajax way” philosophy extends to fitness, diet, off-pitch behaviour and house rules – ensuring that young players are given the best possible chance of making it at the elite level.
The club’s youth coaches pioneered the so-called TIPS model, which stands for Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed, with 10 criteria in each part. Players are also given a special Ajax “passport” in which all their achievements are noted.
Huistra is convinced that playing in the Soccer Sevens will help his players’ development. “The visit to Hong Kong will be beneficial to the players not just from a footballing perspective, playing overseas opposition in a different environment, but also as a life and travel experience,” he pointed out.
“It will be the first trip to Asia for most of the squad and so it will be a learning curve off the pitch as well.”
The 2010 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens will be held from 14-16 May at the Hong Kong Football Club with a total of 32 teams taking part, 16 in the Main competition and 16 in the Masters.
Ajax are among the top four seeds in the Main event together with defending champions Glasgow Celtic, the team they beat in last year’s final, Glasgow Rangers, and four-time Soccer Sevens winners Aston Villa.
Other English Premier League teams taking part will be Birmingham City, West Ham United and debutants Sunderland.
In the Masters competition, former Manchester United and England striker Andy Cole will lead his own team of former professionals while other ex-Premier League players will feature for the IP Global All Stars, Southampton Lloyds TSB All Stars, Nottingham Forest Mobsters, Gallic All Stars and Bexton FC.
Since it was first staged in 1999, the tournament – sanctioned by the Hong Kong Football Association – has developed into the world’s premier seven-a-side soccer event.
The Main competition has become famous for unearthing the “stars of tomorrow” while the Masters section features former elite players from Europe’s top leagues.
Tickets for the 2010 HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens are on sale. A weekend pass (Saturday and Sunday) costs HK$200 per adult while a day pass (Saturday or Sunday) is HK$120 per adult.
Admission on the Friday evening is free for all spectators while children under the age of 16 are admitted free throughout the tournament.
The Andy Cole All Stars will also be special guests at the FA Cup Dinner on the Saturday evening of the tournament, when the Chelsea v Portsmouth clash at Wembley will be shown on the big screen and the players will give their views on the match and football in general.
The dinner, which begins at 8:00pm (Saturday 15 May) in the Sports Hall at HKFC, is a chance for fans to meet the stars and watch the big game in a festive atmosphere with free flowing beer all night. Tables for 12 persons cost $10,000.
Details of how to purchase tickets for the Soccer Sevens and FA Cup Dinner, plus a wealth of other information about the tournament, can be found at the official website, www.hksoccersevens.com.
About IP Global
IP Global (formerly Intellectual Property) sources property investments in emerging and recovering markets. The company has a unique approach; assisting clients in constructing a property investment portfolio tailored to their specific investment strategy and budget. IP Global focuses not only on where to invest but also removes the difficulties that independent investors face when buying property.
IP Global educates investors with the market knowledge required for potential and future investments. The extensive due diligence service provided gives clients the assurance to invest in remote markets which otherwise would not be accessible.
IP Global was launched in Hong Kong in September 2005 and now has offices in Singapore and Dubai to support a rapidly expanding client base and global ambitions. Since inception, IP Global has transacted a total of over US$700 million in property on behalf of its clients.
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Released on behalf of the HKFC IP Global International Soccer Sevens by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.