UK Youth Football and Education Scholarship Program

The project organised by the Zico Foundation in partnership with Sport Hero Co., Ltd. and supporting partners, was created to provide opportunities for talented young football players aged 12–14 years old.

The program aims to select 15 outstanding youth players to receive full scholarships for a two-week football and educational experience in England at Brooke House College Football Academy. The selected participants will train with Coach Zico and UEFA-licensed English coaches while also gaining international learning experiences.

During the selection process, over 2,000 young players participated despite the hot weather conditions. All participants demonstrated strong determination and commitment as they showcased their football abilities before an experienced selection panel consisting of former Thailand national team players and AFC-licensed coaches.

The trials were conducted in a seven-a-side small-sided game format to evaluate players’ tactical understanding, technical skills, movement, passing, shooting, attacking and defensive play, as well as physical fitness.

Kiatisuk Senamuang, President of the Zico Foundation and Sport Hero Co., Ltd., stated that the project was developed from the success of the previous “Sport Education by Coach Zico” program, which gave 11 selected students the opportunity to study football and English in England.

This year, the number of scholarships was expanded to 15 with support from the Zico Foundation and many generous partner organisations, including King Power Group, SK ZIC Lubricants, Wai Wai Instant Noodles, Muang Thai Insurance, Siam Commercial Bank, Thai AirAsia, the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand, Siam Sport Syndicate, Thailand Post, and Adidas Thailand.

The selected students will receive a fully funded two-week football and English learning program in England with a total scholarship value of 2,850,000 Thai Baht.

Coach Zico also noted that the overall standard of participants this year was significantly higher than in previous years, making the selection process especially challenging. He encouraged all young players who were not selected to continue developing themselves and pursue future opportunities with determination and confidence.

The foundation also expressed sincere appreciation to all parents, supporters, sponsors, coaches, and every young participant who joined the project with passion and dreams for the future.