Day 1 of the Season, we had 32 Players registered.

Silence – that was the best way to describe it.

Empty spaces.

Empty groups.

Too much uncertainty.

A few weeks passed by and the number was still below 100…

Silence… again.

However, not panic, no chaos, just questions.

Here, something important happened.

We had an important meeting where we understood what was happening, or trying to.

Calmly, rationally – it wasn’t an emotional talk.

Just Calm. Rational. Honest.

Most importantly, we got something relevant that feed the expectations for the remaining of the Season – it’s time to rebuild, but we’re doing the small things right.

Because growth doesn’t come from hope.

It comes from Structure.

Hence, we kept going and reached the round 200 in a less than 2 months – only because the seeds were correct.

We focus on 3 main things – Quality, Transparency and Communication.

Simple words.

Extremely difficult to execute consistently.

Especially in an environment like Dubai, where more than 250 private football institutions compete for the same players, the same families, the same trust.

After less than 6 months, we were crowned with U12 Cup Winner, U14 League Winner and Cup Runner-up, but also:
. Best Goal Average U14

. Least Defensive Goals Conceded U14

. U14 League MVP

. U14 Leagues’ Best Coach

. 2nd Best Goalkeeper for U12’s

However, the impact was way (WAY) greater.

We play U17 League with U14, U15 and U16 (regularly), or U12 regularly playing with U14 – all because we believe that individual challenges should have an important role in Football Youth Development.

Not that we don’t want to win matches, we actually value it.

But individuals need to feel that we respect their Path in the same manner, and a competitive environment always makes those that take it seriously to understand the importance of it.

There were many “small” wins that, eventually, compounded in these trophies.

But they were no more (or less) than that – consistency in “small wins”.

I could dive deeper in all other relevant episodes that mark the Season so far, or even the Plans we’re building for the upcoming years to make the Club greater, but let’s enjoy today first.

Not without going back a few months back, to Week 3 Meeting.

At other realities, Institutions or Clubs (perhaps the one you’re in right now), that talk would be different.

Pressure would be on the rise for all at the Club, from admins, myself or the Coaches – but not here.

We reviewed the Processes, calmly.

We understood all was in order to succeed.

And you?
What are you doing to achieve your Successes?

P.S. – I lied at the beginning, this wasn’t what success means to us, yet.

It is simply a sign that we are now in a stronger position to face the future.

The journey continues.