Happy New Year!
Thank you for your continued support.
Thanks to the support and encouragement from all of you, we were able to carry out our activities in 2024. We sincerely appreciate it.
2024 brought many changes and challenges. Allow us to share some of the key highlights.
One of our long-awaited goals came to fruition as the club transitioned from a predominantly Japanese roster to one centered around Singaporean players. This change aims to strengthen our role as a bridge between Japan and Singapore, increase our contributions to the local community, and play a more direct role in developing Singapore football.
Our top team faced unexpected struggles early in the season. While we anticipated challenges, the difficulties were greater than expected. However, under the guidance of new head coach Shigetomi since July, the team has risen from the bottom of the standings to a provisional 4th place. Although this season will continue until the end of May 2025, we promise to grow into a team that is even more rewarding to support, especially for our partner companies and the fans who have stood by us through thick and thin. Preparations for the second half of the season, resuming on 17th January, are well underway, with the team back in training since late December, aiming to climb further up the standings.
The women’s team, now in its third year, took on a new challenge under Kana Kitahara, a former Japan international and the 2023 WPL Player of the Year, who serves as both player and head coach. The team showcased an exciting, attacking brand of football with a commitment to entertaining the fans. However, our dream of a first championship title slipped away by just one point, resulting in a second-place league finish for the third consecutive year. Next year, we aim to secure our first title and advance to the ACL Women’s Champions League. Stay tuned for our journey.
In the academy division, we launched a new U13 team, bringing our total to four categories: U13, U15, U17, and U21. Under the supervision of our Methodology Director, Spanish coach Marçal, we saw significant individual and team growth over the year. A few 16-year-old players have even started participating in top-team training sessions. We envision an exciting future where these players become key contributors to the club in a few years.
In addition, football academy hosted the inaugural Albirex (S) S.E.A Cup 2023, a youth tournament with teams from six countries: Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines. For the second edition in 2024/25, seven more countries—Malaysia, Laos, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the Maldives—joined, expanding the tournament to 13 nations. We are deeply grateful to the partner companies, organizations, participating teams, and players who made this international event possible. We hope these young talents, as the bright lights of the future, foster friendships that transcend borders through football.
The children in our soccer and cheer dance schools are growing steadily. We hope they continue to improve and enjoy themselves through daily lessons. The home stadium, now filled with Singaporean players, still echoes with the enthusiastic cheers of these kids, whose voices always inspire the players. Thank you so much for your support.
Yuhua Albirex Football Academy (YAFA) marks its 11th year since its launch in 2014. We are honored to help the children of Yuhua develop social skills and active habits through sports. This program’s success is thanks to the understanding and support of the Yuhua community and the efforts of many volunteers.
As we aim to go beyond Singapore and compete on the Asian stage, let us, as staff, players, and the entire Albirex family, work together to make this dream a reality!
Please continue to support us. Thank you!
Albirex Niigata Football Club (S)
Chairman
Daisuke Korenaga
Thank you for your continued support.
Thanks to the support and encouragement from all of you, we were able to carry out our activities in 2024. We sincerely appreciate it.
2024 brought many changes and challenges. Allow us to share some of the key highlights.
One of our long-awaited goals came to fruition as the club transitioned from a predominantly Japanese roster to one centered around Singaporean players. This change aims to strengthen our role as a bridge between Japan and Singapore, increase our contributions to the local community, and play a more direct role in developing Singapore football.
Our top team faced unexpected struggles early in the season. While we anticipated challenges, the difficulties were greater than expected. However, under the guidance of new head coach Shigetomi since July, the team has risen from the bottom of the standings to a provisional 4th place. Although this season will continue until the end of May 2025, we promise to grow into a team that is even more rewarding to support, especially for our partner companies and the fans who have stood by us through thick and thin. Preparations for the second half of the season, resuming on 17th January, are well underway, with the team back in training since late December, aiming to climb further up the standings.
The women’s team, now in its third year, took on a new challenge under Kana Kitahara, a former Japan international and the 2023 WPL Player of the Year, who serves as both player and head coach. The team showcased an exciting, attacking brand of football with a commitment to entertaining the fans. However, our dream of a first championship title slipped away by just one point, resulting in a second-place league finish for the third consecutive year. Next year, we aim to secure our first title and advance to the ACL Women’s Champions League. Stay tuned for our journey.
In the academy division, we launched a new U13 team, bringing our total to four categories: U13, U15, U17, and U21. Under the supervision of our Methodology Director, Spanish coach Marçal, we saw significant individual and team growth over the year. A few 16-year-old players have even started participating in top-team training sessions. We envision an exciting future where these players become key contributors to the club in a few years.
In addition, football academy hosted the inaugural Albirex (S) S.E.A Cup 2023, a youth tournament with teams from six countries: Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines. For the second edition in 2024/25, seven more countries—Malaysia, Laos, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the Maldives—joined, expanding the tournament to 13 nations. We are deeply grateful to the partner companies, organizations, participating teams, and players who made this international event possible. We hope these young talents, as the bright lights of the future, foster friendships that transcend borders through football.
The children in our soccer and cheer dance schools are growing steadily. We hope they continue to improve and enjoy themselves through daily lessons. The home stadium, now filled with Singaporean players, still echoes with the enthusiastic cheers of these kids, whose voices always inspire the players. Thank you so much for your support.
Yuhua Albirex Football Academy (YAFA) marks its 11th year since its launch in 2014. We are honored to help the children of Yuhua develop social skills and active habits through sports. This program’s success is thanks to the understanding and support of the Yuhua community and the efforts of many volunteers.
As we aim to go beyond Singapore and compete on the Asian stage, let us, as staff, players, and the entire Albirex family, work together to make this dream a reality!
Please continue to support us. Thank you!
Albirex Niigata Football Club (S)
Chairman
Daisuke Korenaga
