Why this Singapore family chose football to raise active, resilient kids

Like many parents, Mr Wee Khai Pang, 46, and Ms Sandra Yeo, 44, faced a familiar question: How do you keep your children active and engaged as they grow up in an increasingly screen-filled world?

For their three children, the answer came through sport.

What started as weekend play has since become a steady routine. One that has shaped not just their physical health, but also their confidence, independence and resilience.

Football plays a central role in that journey, with the children training at the Lion City Sailors Football Academy (LCSFA), where structured programmes have helped turn casual interest into a lasting pursuit.

Their eldest, Bryceton, is perhaps the most deeply immersed and hopes to one day represent Singapore on the world stage.

The 14-year-old did not start out chasing big dreams. His passion was shaped by years of consistent training and exposure to competitions through LCSFA. He has also competed overseas, including at Sweden’s Gothia Cup – the world’s biggest youth football tournament, where his team reached the semi-finals in 2023 among a total of 50 teams from 21 nations.

Yet for his parents, these milestones are not the main goal.

lion-city-sailors-football-academy-bryceton-pang — Regular match play and competitions have helped Bryceton (in white), 14, sharpen his game and build confidence on the field.

PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS FOOTBALL ACADEMY

An active lifestyle has always been part of the Pang family’s way of life, even before football entered the picture.

They enjoy spending time cycling at East Coast Park, playing badminton and going for jogs together. During the pandemic, the family started taking night hikes from their home in River Valley to East Coast Park, where the children were rewarded with an outdoor barbecue and the novelty of sleeping in hammocks.

Mr Pang has also introduced his children to a wide range of activities, from piano and drawing to swimming and table tennis. At home, board games fill quieter moments.

Football, however, was the one activity that stuck.

Recalls Mr Pang: “When Bryceton was five, and Leia was three, they went for football trials together. Ryler joined them when he was three, two years later. They enjoyed it very much and started training weekly on Sundays.”

What began as a shared activity soon became something the children genuinely looked forward to.

Says Bryceton: “At the start, I was doing it for fun, just playing football with friends. But now I’ve decided to play it competitively; going into training sessions and matches with the mindset to do better and to improve.”

As the children progressed, Mr Pang began to see the value of the structured training provided at LCSFA.

“The individual and small group sessions help to speed up the learning curve, even though it’s just an hour per week. When everything comes together, it’s a joy to witness the development of the kids over a more prolonged period of several years, and documenting that process,” he says.

Today, Bryceton trains regularly alongside his younger brother Ryler, 10, in their respective teams, while their sister Leia, 12, has since channelled her energy into competitive rhythmic gymnastics.

“I believe that the toughness and physicality that football gave her is also helping her in some ways with her rhythmic gymnastics,” notes their father.

Their different paths reflect the family’s approach: encouraging commitment, but allowing each child to pursue what resonates with them.

lion-city-sailors-football-academy-bryceton-pang-ryler-pang-leia-pang — While her brothers pursue football, Leia (left) channels the discipline she gained from the sport into another competitive pursuit.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE PANG FAMILY

For the Pang family, the most meaningful outcomes of sport are not medals or match results, but the qualities their children develop along the way.

“The Lion City Sailors Football Academy requires them to stay fully committed, and they understand that it is not just about how good a player you are. Other aspects like attitude, punctuality and being a team player are also important,” says Mr Pang.

He adds that sport plays a broader role in shaping character: “Football and sports in general is important to the development of a child, physically and mentally. Eventually, it will help them to be more resilient in life.”

Ms Yeo has observed similar changes at home. “They’ve also learnt independence, and are able to cope when away from us and adapt to whatever environment that they are in,” she says.

“And they’ve also learnt that being competitive is not about your individual win, it’s about the team’s success. I think that’s critical, especially when they go out into the working world in the future and collaborate with others.”

lion-city-sailors-football-academy-ryler-pang — Ryler, 10, trains diligently with the Lion City Sailors Football Academy to develop both technical skills and match awareness.

PHOTO: LION CITY SAILORS FOOTBALL ACADEMY

For parents exploring ways to keep their children active and engaged, programmes offered by the Lion City Sailors Football Academy (LCSFA) present one possible pathway. Here are the key things to know about the programme:

Owned by Sea Limited, it is one of Singapore’s larger football academies, catering to children aged two-and-a-half to 17 across all skill levels – from beginners to elite players.
LCSFA holds a two-star accreditation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) under its AFC Elite Youth Scheme, making it the first in Singapore to receive this recognition, and one of only four academies in South-east Asia to do so.
With an emphasis on “Football for All”, it creates an environment where children can learn and enjoy the sport at their own level, whether they are playing recreationally or pursuing it more seriously.
Both boys and girls are welcome, with dedicated all-girls sessions available.
LCSFA has also expanded its footprint with a new satellite centre at The Sports Arina @ Jalan Kayu, joining its existing locations at Mattar, Safra Tampines, ITE College Central (AMK) and GESS International School (Dairy Farm), giving families more options closer to home.
Participants can choose between general and competitive pathways, allowing them to progress at a pace that suits their interests and abilities, while receiving guidance from experienced coaches who will identify any strategy or skill gaps.
Parents who are keen to introduce their children to football can register for a complimentary trial session. Sessions are available across multiple locations, including the new centre at The Sports Arina @ Jalan Kayu.