Participants, volunteers, partners and members of the football community came together for the inaugural Beyond The Pitch Charity Fundraiser under the Football Association of Singapore
Singapore’s football community came together on Sunday, 5 July, at the Lion City Sailors Training Centre for the fourth edition of the charity fundraiser, now organised for the first time by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) under its new Beyond The Pitch banner, raising over S$220,000 through donations and sponsorships for Tasek Sailors.
Building on the strong foundation established by Tasek Sailors over the past three editions, Beyond The Pitch marks a new chapter that brings together clubs, corporates, partners and the wider football fraternity behind a shared purpose — using football to create lasting opportunities for young people and strengthen communities.
The event brought together 22 corporate and community football teams, 84 youth participants and 21 youth volunteers, alongside families, partners and members of the public, demonstrating the football community’s collective commitment to giving back.
This year’s proceeds will support Tasek Sailors, whose work over the past decade has shown how football can become a powerful platform for mentorship, education and social mobility. Since its establishment in 2013, the community football programme has supported disadvantaged young people across Singapore through integrated coaching, mentorship and casework, helping participants develop confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging both on and off the pitch.
The fundraiser builds on three successful editions previously organised by Tasek Sailors, which collectively raised close to S$557,000 to support the programme’s continued growth. With FAS now taking on the organising role, Beyond The Pitch aims to expand the fundraiser’s reach while ensuring proceeds continue to directly benefit Tasek Sailors and the young people it serves.
Corporate teams competed fiercely throughout the day, demonstrating how football can bring people together in support of a common cause
Football united by a shared cause
Guest of Honour Ms Jane Ittogi, who graced the event for a third consecutive year, commended the continued impact of the programme and the strong spirit of partnership that fuels its success.
Ms Ittogi, who is also the Chair of Tasek Academy and Social Services, said, “Beyond the Pitch gathers us around the football field, and so much more. It is about hope for youth and families, hope for friendships and togetherness, hope for a future of pride and joy.”
Guest of Honour Ms Jane Ittogi encouraged the football community to continue using football as a force for hope, inclusion and positive social impact
The seven-a-side Corporate Tournament formed the centrepiece of the day’s activities, with H&H edging out HSBC on penalties in the final to lift the championship trophy, while MSIG overcame Technogym to emerge as overall victors of the Plate category, following an exciting day of competition.
H&H lifting the championship trophy after a gruelling day of competition
“Beyond The Pitch reflects our belief that football has the power to make a meaningful difference beyond the game itself. We are proud to build on the strong foundation established by Tasek Sailors over the past three editions and to bring the wider football community together behind a shared cause. By taking this initiative forward, we hope to rally even more partners, supporters and members of the football fraternity behind a shared purpose, so that together we can create more opportunities for young people to thrive both on and off the pitch,” said Badri Ghent, General Secretary of the Football Association of Singapore.
The football community also rallied behind the cause, with former Sailors Women’s Team attacker Dorcas Chu, Singapore women’s internationals Nadhra Aqilah and Ho Hui Xin, as well as former Singapore internationals Aleksandar Duric and Lionel Lewis, lending their support throughout the day.
Together, they led friendly matches involving Tasek Sailors youth teams while sharing their personal experiences and words of encouragement with the next generation.
Former and current national players spent time with Tasek Sailors youth participants, sharing their experiences and inspiring the next generation through football.
Beyond the matches, Lion City Sailors staff also conducted workshops covering social media, strength and conditioning, and injury management, giving participants valuable insights into the many facets of the modern game beyond what happens on the pitch.
Participants also attended interactive workshops covering strength and conditioning, injury management and life beyond football.
Away from the main tournament, the Etihad Airways Top Bins Challenge proved a popular attraction throughout the day. Participants tested their accuracy from the penalty spot for a S$10 donation per attempt, with a live leaderboard keeping the competition alive throughout the afternoon.
S. Vikram emerged as the overall winner after landing seven consecutive shots, earning two Etihad Airways Business Class return tickets to Manchester together with Hospitality Box tickets to a Manchester City match.
S. Vikram received the top prize after topping the Etihad Airways Top Bins Challenge with seven consecutive successful strikes.
The family carnival rounded off the festivities with food, beverages and activities for visitors of all ages, reinforcing Beyond The Pitch as a community celebration centred on giving back.
Changing lives through football
While the day’s fundraising total was significant, the true impact of Beyond The Pitch lies in the lives it continues to change.
In a 2025 post-programme survey, 78.2 per cent of participants reported improvements in their football skills, while 80 per cent said their experience with Tasek Sailors had positively impacted their lives.
The programme has also evolved significantly in recent years, shifting its focus from expanding participation to creating deeper developmental pathways. The number of competitive teams has grown from none in 2023 to 15 teams in 2026, providing more young people with structured opportunities to compete, develop and build character through football.
Its girls’ pathway has similarly become the largest community football academy for girls in Singapore. Following the opening of a second girls’ centre in the East in 2025, Tasek Sailors also launched its first girls’ team in the Singapore Youth League, creating new opportunities for aspiring female footballers.
Tasek Sailors continues to provide young people with opportunities to develop their potential through football, both on and off the pitch.
Among those to benefit is 15-year-old Rayhana Shanaz, who progressed through the programme before earning a call-up to Singapore’s Under-16 Girls’ National Team.
Fourteen-year-old Irnissa Munifa has also progressed to compete at a higher level, including in overseas tournaments.
Meanwhile, Ali Imran and Irham Dzikri, who both joined Tasek Sailors more than a decade ago, now work full-time within the programme managing football teams — a testament to the lasting impact community football can have on young lives.
“I am incredibly proud of what Tasek Sailors has become over the past decade. While the growth in participation and competitive teams is encouraging, what matters most are the relationships we have built with our children and youth. Beyond the growth, it represents the trust and meaningful relationships we have developed with our children and youth, allowing us to journey alongside them, build confidence, and provide wraparound social support. Funds from Beyond the Pitch can deepen this impact by creating more opportunities and enabling even more youth to thrive both in football and in life,” said Dr ‘Ain Azman, Lead Manager at Tasek Academy and Social Services.
As Beyond The Pitch enters its next chapter under the Football Association of Singapore, the ambition remains unchanged: to ensure football continues to create opportunities, strengthen communities, and positively shape the lives of young people who need it most. With the continued support of partners, participants and the wider football fraternity, the fundraiser aims to grow its impact for many years to come.
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