Indian football has seen rapid growth in the last decade with the rise of national football leagues like the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. While the focus is entirely on the higher level of football, the backbone of that success has always been academy football. South United Football&nbsp;Club (commonly known as SUFC) from Bengaluru has emerged as a prominent club among the network of football sides with the best academies in India.

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The club, which is built with a long-term vision is being regarded as one of the best in the country. In an exclusive conversation with WION, Director Sharan Parikh shed light on how the club operates and how it overcame challenges to set up one of India’s most profitable football academies.

“The power of sports in India has been tremendous, and when it comes to football, we have been blessed with some of the best communities in the country. I think if Indian football is to progress, we need a good programme at grassroots level and with the growing business side of things, especially since I took over SUFC, things have changed a lot. If we build more such academies in India, surely Indian football will be on the rise in the coming years,” said Sharan Parikh while speaking on the academy structure in India.

When asked about the set of challenges, he opened up about the public response and the future plans, the director opened up on how the club functions. 

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/euro-2024-spain-vs-france-mbappe-assist-yamal-curler-highlight-supercharged-first-half-watch-739403">Euro 2024, Spain vs France: Mbappe assist, Yamal curler highlight supercharged first half - WATCH</a>

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“Building state-of-the-art infrastructure was certainly a challenge. While we have succeeded in building world-class infrastructure, it was a long process. The global football industry faces a major challenge in establishing a consistent revenue stream. Especially in India, football is still a growing industry. Despite being over 100 years old, it has not yet achieved business maturity. However, it is growing, and that’s encouraging for everyone involved,” Parikh said on the challenges of building the academy.

“When entering smaller cities, we cannot underestimate people's love for football and their passion and desire to encourage children to participate in physical, healthy, and group activities. We are confident and not fearful of entering smaller cities because we know about football's strong impact in bringing communities together. The experience of our staff in Solapur has been very encouraging, and although it's just the beginning, we are optimistic about our partnership with the Solapur community,” the club Director said on the expansion in Maharashtra’s Solapur.

<h2 dir="ltr">Future plans</h2>

“We plan for the long term, and make sure that every step we take is solid. We aim to build ourselves as a case study, learning from our mistakes to help others avoid them. As far as ISL and footballing ladder are concerned, we focus on youth development rather than acquiring ready-made players. This approach supports our goal of creating a sustainable family business. As our youth players develop, our first team will improve, advancing up the football ladder on merit. We are happy to progress one step at a time,” Parikh added.

Currently, as a football training academy in Bengaluru, SUFC’s dedication extends beyond its training programmes. The academy actively participates in community outreach and development initiatives. These efforts have ensured that football reaches every corner of society, irrespective of socio-economic background. SUFC conducts camps, clinics, and workshops across various cities, aiming to reach out to budding talent who might not have access to formal training otherwise.

Indian football has seen rapid growth in the last decade with the rise of national football leagues like the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. While the focus is entirely on the higher level of football, the backbone of that success has always been academy football.

Indian football has seen rapid growth in the last decade with the rise of national football leagues like the Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League. While the focus is entirely on the higher level of football, the backbone of that success has always been academy football. South United Football Club (commonly known as SUFC) from Bengaluru has emerged as a prominent club among the network of football sides with the best academies in India. The club, which is built with a long-term vision is being regarded as one of the best in the country. In an exclusive conversation with WION, Director Sharan Parikh shed light on how the club operates and how it overcame challenges to set up one of India’s most profitable football academies. “The power of sports in India has been tremendous, and when it comes to football, we have been blessed with some of the best communities in the country. I think if Indian football is to progress, we need a good programme at grassroots level and with the growing business side of things, especially since I took over SUFC, things have changed a lot. If we build more such academies in India, surely Indian football will be on the rise in the coming years,” said Sharan Parikh while speaking on the academy structure in India. When asked about the set of challenges, he opened up about the public response and the future plans, the director opened up on how the club functions. ALSO READ | Euro 2024, Spain vs France: Mbappe assist, Yamal curler highlight supercharged first half - WATCH “Building state-of-the-art infrastructure was certainly a challenge. While we have succeeded in building world-class infrastructure, it was a long process. The global football industry faces a major challenge in establishing a consistent revenue stream. Especially in India, football is still a growing industry. Despite being over 100 years old, it has not yet achieved business maturity. However, it is growing, and that’s encouraging for everyone involved,” Parikh said on the challenges of building the academy. “When entering smaller cities, we cannot underestimate people's love for football and their passion and desire to encourage children to participate in physical, healthy, and group activities. We are confident and not fearful of entering smaller cities because we know about football's strong impact in bringing communities together. The experience of our staff in Solapur has been very encouraging, and although it's just the beginning, we are optimistic about our partnership with the Solapur community,” the club Director said on the expansion in Maharashtra’s Solapur. Future plans “We plan for the long term, and make sure that every step we take is solid. We aim to build ourselves as a case study, learning from our mistakes to help others avoid them. As far as ISL and footballing ladder are concerned, we focus on youth development rather than acquiring ready-made players. This approach supports our goal of creating a sustainable family business. As our youth players develop, our first team will improve, advancing up the football ladder on merit. We are happy to progress one step at a time,” Parikh added. Currently, as a football training academy in Bengaluru, SUFC’s dedication extends beyond its training programmes. The academy actively participates in community outreach and development initiatives. These efforts have ensured that football reaches every corner of society, irrespective of socio-economic background. SUFC conducts camps, clinics, and workshops across various cities, aiming to reach out to budding talent who might not have access to formal training otherwise.

Exclusive: How South United FC is becoming the pioneer of Indian academy football

Indian football has inherited a good culture in recent times as players from the remote parts of the country are making their name. The Northeast part of the nation is proving to be the supply line of top footballers with a blend of technique and talent. While football transformation has been on the rise in states like Mizoram, a music teacher turned football coach – Lalrindika Khiangte (Dika), is carrying the baton for the state. A representative of the state team, Dika has been at the heart of the football revolution in the state and is one of the upcoming coaches in India.

An ‘A-licensed’ coach in the country Dika is one of the prime reasons for the rise of football talents in Mizoram as WION exclusively spoke to the man. Part of the Mizoram Coach Program (MCP), Dika is building a force of coaches for the now-popular Naupang League (a tournament in Mizoram for kids between U-6 to U-14). He looks after the development and the growth of the coaches who in turn help Naupang League kids through various techniques.

Question: How was your journey in the establishment of the Naupang League?

Answer:&nbsp;I used to be a music teacher in Punjab while my wife worked in Guwahati. My family lives in Aizwal so when RFYC brought the initiative to develop younger generations I did not hesitate and gave a thumbs up to the project. This project has in one way brought my family together and now we are working together with the Naupang League.

Question: What is the concept of Naupang League?

Answer: The word ‘Naupang’ in the local Mizo language means ‘kids’ and our initiative was always to develop these crops of players. Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) in association with Mizoram Football Association (MFA) took the next initiative to develop this mini-league. So we are fortunate to have RFYC and their help to develop football in this part of the world.

Question: Does the Naupang League work in a similar model to European club academies?

Answer:&nbsp;It is similar to the European leagues the difference but with little difference. At the age of 5 or 6, the kids there have played enough games and spent time on the pitch to grow their football talent. So Naupang League gives kids the platform to build their talent. I won’t compare ourselves to the European League, but with the RYFC infrastructure in years to come, we will be one of the top Asian countries to develop academy football.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tier-2-tournament-similar-to-ipl-set-for-launch-in-2024-bcci-outlines-window-for-proposed-t10-league-669987">‘Tier 2’ tournament similar to IPL set for launch in 2024, BCCI outlines window for proposed T10 league</a>

Question: How do children learn the fundamentals of football with the Naupang League?

Answer: The kids are not finished products so they need to learn fundamentals of the game like kicking the ball, maintaining accuracy of shot and other key aspects. The Decentralized Coaching Sessions (DECO) session helps them develop these techniques before they step into advanced training. So in short, DECO sessions prepare them for the fundamentals before they are given the opportunity at school and senior level. Interestingly, the kids get coaching from licensed coaches from Mizoram who are developing through the MCP.

Question: How does the Naupang League ensure player development beyond what is already provided?

Answer: There are certain players who are well ahead of their time and are good at their skills, so we through the Emerging Talents Program(ETP) give special attention to these kids. The concept of ETP is to develop the already advanced players and help them grow under the guidance of good coaches in the state. Select players also got to travel to the RFYC academy in Mumbai after the first season of Naupang League to learn how football is beyond Mizoram.

Indian football has inherited a good culture in recent times as players from the remote parts of the country are making their name. The Northeast part of the nation is proving to be the supply line of top footballers with a blend of technique and talent.

Indian football has inherited a good culture in recent times as players from the remote parts of the country are making their name. The Northeast part of the nation is proving to be the supply line of top footballers with a blend of technique and talent. While football transformation has been on the rise in states like Mizoram, a music teacher turned football coach – Lalrindika Khiangte (Dika), is carrying the baton for the state. A representative of the state team, Dika has been at the heart of the football revolution in the state and is one of the upcoming coaches in India. An ‘A-licensed’ coach in the country Dika is one of the prime reasons for the rise of football talents in Mizoram as WION exclusively spoke to the man. Part of the Mizoram Coach Program (MCP), Dika is building a force of coaches for the now-popular Naupang League (a tournament in Mizoram for kids between U-6 to U-14). He looks after the development and the growth of the coaches who in turn help Naupang League kids through various techniques. Question: How was your journey in the establishment of the Naupang League? Answer: I used to be a music teacher in Punjab while my wife worked in Guwahati. My family lives in Aizwal so when RFYC brought the initiative to develop younger generations I did not hesitate and gave a thumbs up to the project. This project has in one way brought my family together and now we are working together with the Naupang League. Question: What is the concept of Naupang League? Answer: The word ‘Naupang’ in the local Mizo language means ‘kids’ and our initiative was always to develop these crops of players. Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) in association with Mizoram Football Association (MFA) took the next initiative to develop this mini-league. So we are fortunate to have RFYC and their help to develop football in this part of the world. Question: Does the Naupang League work in a similar model to European club academies? Answer: It is similar to the European leagues the difference but with little difference. At the age of 5 or 6, the kids there have played enough games and spent time on the pitch to grow their football talent. So Naupang League gives kids the platform to build their talent. I won’t compare ourselves to the European League, but with the RYFC infrastructure in years to come, we will be one of the top Asian countries to develop academy football. ALSO READ | ‘Tier 2’ tournament similar to IPL set for launch in 2024, BCCI outlines window for proposed T10 league Question: How do children learn the fundamentals of football with the Naupang League? Answer: The kids are not finished products so they need to learn fundamentals of the game like kicking the ball, maintaining accuracy of shot and other key aspects. The Decentralized Coaching Sessions (DECO) session helps them develop these techniques before they step into advanced training. So in short, DECO sessions prepare them for the fundamentals before they are given the opportunity at school and senior level. Interestingly, the kids get coaching from licensed coaches from Mizoram who are developing through the MCP. Question: How does the Naupang League ensure player development beyond what is already provided? Answer: There are certain players who are well ahead of their time and are good at their skills, so we through the Emerging Talents Program(ETP) give special attention to these kids. The concept of ETP is to develop the already advanced players and help them grow under the guidance of good coaches in the state. Select players also got to travel to the RFYC academy in Mumbai after the first season of Naupang League to learn how football is beyond Mizoram.

EXCLUSIVE | Lalrindika Khiangte: Man leading football revolution in India through young academy coaching style

Mizoram Football Association (MFA) is playing a crucial role in the development of Indian football as the state serves platform for the next generation of footballers. While player development has been part of the project, recently the Mizoram Football Association (MFA) has emphasised a need to develop a coach training programme for which Head of Education Mark Vaessen and Head of Scouting at RFYC Stephen Charles have undertaken an initiative in Mizoram’s capital city Aizawl.

Vaessen and Charles have helped the coaches develop and grow strategically advanced techniques that help develop players from the younger leagues like Naupang in the state. Vaessen in particular thinks that these small steps in coach and player development could help India become a powerhouse in football if they keep working hard.

<h2>What India needs to do?</h2>

“India needs to take small steps to build a big empire in football as they need to focus on more junior leagues like Naupang. There is plenty of talent in the nation and what I see at the moment is that needs to be polished. With Mizoram coaching program we have got the best infrastructure in the house which lays the foundation for smooth developments of both players and coaches,” Vaessen said.

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<h2>Naupang League - a blueprint for success</h2>

Former I-League star Charles reckons other states in the nation should also follow the same model and build junior leagues. The development of such leagues could play a crucial role in getting players ready for future challenges at a young age.

“I think other leagues need to follow a similar pattern and build their own junior league structure. Naupang League has set an example for other states to follow as player development remains a crucial part of the process. Down the years, we only relied on regional leagues but if we can develop such leagues, India could be a force to reckon with in coming years,” Charles quoted as he spoke on the junior league structure.

Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Naupang League in association with Mizoram Football Association (MFA) currently operates on the football model of European clubs with young players given platform to build.&nbsp;The RFYC through its scouts selects children for a week-long experiential trip to the&nbsp;academy in Mumbai and helps them develop for future challenges.&nbsp;

Mizoram Football Association (MFA) is playing a crucial role in the development of Indian football as the state serves platform for the next generation of footballers.

Mizoram Football Association (MFA) is playing a crucial role in the development of Indian football as the state serves platform for the next generation of footballers. While player development has been part of the project, recently the Mizoram Football Association (MFA) has emphasised a need to develop a coach training programme for which Head of Education Mark Vaessen and Head of Scouting at RFYC Stephen Charles have undertaken an initiative in Mizoram’s capital city Aizawl. Vaessen and Charles have helped the coaches develop and grow strategically advanced techniques that help develop players from the younger leagues like Naupang in the state. Vaessen in particular thinks that these small steps in coach and player development could help India become a powerhouse in football if they keep working hard. What India needs to do? “India needs to take small steps to build a big empire in football as they need to focus on more junior leagues like Naupang. There is plenty of talent in the nation and what I see at the moment is that needs to be polished. With Mizoram coaching program we have got the best infrastructure in the house which lays the foundation for smooth developments of both players and coaches,” Vaessen said. ALSO READ | Watch | Newcastle United and PSG fans clash ahead of Champions League match in Paris Naupang League - a blueprint for success Former I-League star Charles reckons other states in the nation should also follow the same model and build junior leagues. The development of such leagues could play a crucial role in getting players ready for future challenges at a young age. “I think other leagues need to follow a similar pattern and build their own junior league structure. Naupang League has set an example for other states to follow as player development remains a crucial part of the process. Down the years, we only relied on regional leagues but if we can develop such leagues, India could be a force to reckon with in coming years,” Charles quoted as he spoke on the junior league structure. Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Naupang League in association with Mizoram Football Association (MFA) currently operates on the football model of European clubs with young players given platform to build. The RFYC through its scouts selects children for a week-long experiential trip to the academy in Mumbai and helps them develop for future challenges.

India needs to take small steps to build big empire in football: Mark Vaessen

Former India footballer Gouramangi Singh has worked his magic in the domestic football circuit having taken charge of FC Goa. Gouramangi is very pleased with what Reliance Foundation Development League (RDFL) has done in two seasons so far, for unearthing the young talent, nurturing them for the future of Indian football.

<h2>Unearthing players</h2>

The 37-year-old, who has played for many clubs in the country, including Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers, FC Pune City, recalled his playing days when there were very few opportunities and asked the modern-day players to make the most out of the facilities they are getting now.

"I am glad to see that a lot of things are happening today. If I compare from my time when I was growing up, now there are a lot more platforms for boys to compete and perform, which is a positive sign for Indian football.”

As football is evolving all over the country, boys nowadays play more competitive matches in a structured manner. They are getting a great league like RFDL, so the only thing players have to do is make the most out of it," said Gouramangi.

<h2>Offering more game time</h2>

Singh feels development tournaments play a vital role in making U-21 players ready for the next level and give them the much-required game time.

"What RFDL has done so far is commendable, not for only our (FC Goa) boys but for all the young players in the country. Earlier, the game time was missing for the players but now there is an impressive level of competition. As an assistant of FC Goa coach, our focus is definitely on the league and I'm glad about what the tournament has done in two seasons," he said.

There are a few things that they can do now as U-21 players but not when they are part of the senior dressing room. When one becomes part of the senior dressing room, there are higher expectations from them to deliver. But now here, maybe some coaches will allow them or give them room to explore, and make a few mistakes. So, it's now an opportunity to sharpen their skills and be ready, because the next step will be different altogether," he added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/explained-why-india-should-look-beyond-jasprit-bumrah-for-2023-world-cup-584343">Explained – Why India should look beyond Jasprit Bumrah for 2023 World Cup?</a>

<h2>Great platform to break through into the first team</h2>

The former footballer from Manipur also highlighted why boys eagerly wait for the tournament.

"I think RFDL is a great platform and as a club, we are looking forward to it because, for the developmental team, it's one of the most important features in the calendar year. And as the assistant coach of an ISL team, whenever I talk to boys, they are looking forward to the matches because they know that they are going to meet some of the best in the country. This is the right way to move further, get to the senior team," Gouramangi said.

"I hope a lot more players come up, grab the opportunities and get selected to a lot of bigger clubs in the ISL, I-League," he concluded.

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Former India footballer Gouramangi Singh has worked his magic in the domestic football circuit having taken charge of FC Goa. Gouramangi is very pleased with what Reliance Foundation Development League (RDFL) has done in two seasons so far, for unearthing the young talent, nurturing them for the future of Indian football.

Former India footballer Gouramangi Singh has worked his magic in the domestic football circuit having taken charge of FC Goa. Gouramangi is very pleased with what Reliance Foundation Development League (RDFL) has done in two seasons so far, for unearthing the young talent, nurturing them for the future of Indian football. Unearthing players The 37-year-old, who has played for many clubs in the country, including Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers, FC Pune City, recalled his playing days when there were very few opportunities and asked the modern-day players to make the most out of the facilities they are getting now. "I am glad to see that a lot of things are happening today. If I compare from my time when I was growing up, now there are a lot more platforms for boys to compete and perform, which is a positive sign for Indian football.” As football is evolving all over the country, boys nowadays play more competitive matches in a structured manner. They are getting a great league like RFDL, so the only thing players have to do is make the most out of it," said Gouramangi. Offering more game time Singh feels development tournaments play a vital role in making U-21 players ready for the next level and give them the much-required game time. "What RFDL has done so far is commendable, not for only our (FC Goa) boys but for all the young players in the country. Earlier, the game time was missing for the players but now there is an impressive level of competition. As an assistant of FC Goa coach, our focus is definitely on the league and I'm glad about what the tournament has done in two seasons," he said. There are a few things that they can do now as U-21 players but not when they are part of the senior dressing room. When one becomes part of the senior dressing room, there are higher expectations from them to deliver. But now here, maybe some coaches will allow them or give them room to explore, and make a few mistakes. So, it's now an opportunity to sharpen their skills and be ready, because the next step will be different altogether," he added. ALSO READ | Explained – Why India should look beyond Jasprit Bumrah for 2023 World Cup? Great platform to break through into the first team The former footballer from Manipur also highlighted why boys eagerly wait for the tournament. "I think RFDL is a great platform and as a club, we are looking forward to it because, for the developmental team, it's one of the most important features in the calendar year. And as the assistant coach of an ISL team, whenever I talk to boys, they are looking forward to the matches because they know that they are going to meet some of the best in the country. This is the right way to move further, get to the senior team," Gouramangi said. "I hope a lot more players come up, grab the opportunities and get selected to a lot of bigger clubs in the ISL, I-League," he concluded. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'I hope a lot more players come up' - Former India footballer Gouramangi Singh backs ISL, I-League academies

RoundGlass Punjab FC Head Coach Ashley Westwood addressed the media at a virtual press conference on December 8, Wednesday as the Club gears up for the forthcoming I-League 2021-22 season, set to kick off on December 26.

Sharing his thoughts, Westwood said, "The Club has been thought about and built for the right reasons. Our Founder Sunny (Gurpreet) Singh has a keen interest in sports and wants to create opportunities for the children and youth of Punjab, where he hails from, to play sports. He wants to enable the Wholistic Wellbeing of people through not just sports but also a focus on nutrition, learning, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, and other aspects of wellbeing."

"The same principles apply to our football team. We want to create a healthy, honest, and hard-working team and aim to inspire young people with our performances and style of play, in line with Sunny's vision, which includes providing a genuine platform that the children and youth of Punjab look up to, are inspired by, and that helps nurture their dreams of becoming sportspersons,"&nbsp;he added.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/isl-2021-22-mumbai-city-fc-beat-jamshedpur-fc-to-remain-on-top-435604">ISL 2021-22: Mumbai City FC beat Jamshedpur FC to remain on top</a>

RoundGlass Punjab FC’s pre-season training began in October and the team has been in Kolkata since, with the players and support staff being housed in a bio-secure environment.&nbsp;

"Pre-season has been good. It’s a new team and the more time we spend with each other, the better it is. Being in this environment, which means living and working together day in and day out, helps bring the team together and allows us to find out more about one another and understand the character of each member of the team, which is part of our decision-making process."

"Another benefit of being together is that we can focus on football, as there are no distractions, and we can control the environment. We are trying to keep things challenging for the players and, at the same time, ensure that it is not monotonous,"&nbsp;Westwood said.

Westwood, a two-time I-League winner with Bengaluru FC and seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience as a player and coach, joined RoundGlass Punjab FC as the Head Coach in July.

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We are proud to welcome two-time I-League winner ASHLEY WESTWOOD as our new first-team head coach!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AshleyWestwood?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AshleyWestwood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RGPFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RGPFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PunjabInSpirit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PunjabInSpirit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AIFF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AIFF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeroILeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HeroILeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/Qugak92aWI">pic.twitter.com/Qugak92aWI</a>
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The Club, after an impressive I-League debut under new ownership last season, made a strong statement of intent in the summer transfer window as well.&nbsp;

"The players we have signed give us balance and have been brought onboard for not only their abilities but also their professionalism and experience. I know the players I’ve worked with earlier will do things the right way and be role models for not only the younger players at the Club, but also those at our Academy and our fans. We wanted a balance of youth and experience in the squad so we can challenge for the I-League,"&nbsp;Westwood said.

RoundGlass Punjab FC Head Coach Ashley Westwood addressed the media at a virtual press conference on December 8, Wednesday as the Club gears up for the forthcoming I-League 2021-22 season, set to kick off on December 26.

RoundGlass Punjab FC Head Coach Ashley Westwood addressed the media at a virtual press conference on December 8, Wednesday as the Club gears up for the forthcoming I-League 2021-22 season, set to kick off on December 26. Sharing his thoughts, Westwood said, "The Club has been thought about and built for the right reasons. Our Founder Sunny (Gurpreet) Singh has a keen interest in sports and wants to create opportunities for the children and youth of Punjab, where he hails from, to play sports. He wants to enable the Wholistic Wellbeing of people through not just sports but also a focus on nutrition, learning, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, and other aspects of wellbeing." "The same principles apply to our football team. We want to create a healthy, honest, and hard-working team and aim to inspire young people with our performances and style of play, in line with Sunny's vision, which includes providing a genuine platform that the children and youth of Punjab look up to, are inspired by, and that helps nurture their dreams of becoming sportspersons," he added. ALSO READ: ISL 2021-22: Mumbai City FC beat Jamshedpur FC to remain on top RoundGlass Punjab FC’s pre-season training began in October and the team has been in Kolkata since, with the players and support staff being housed in a bio-secure environment. "Pre-season has been good. It’s a new team and the more time we spend with each other, the better it is. Being in this environment, which means living and working together day in and day out, helps bring the team together and allows us to find out more about one another and understand the character of each member of the team, which is part of our decision-making process." "Another benefit of being together is that we can focus on football, as there are no distractions, and we can control the environment. We are trying to keep things challenging for the players and, at the same time, ensure that it is not monotonous," Westwood said. Westwood, a two-time I-League winner with Bengaluru FC and seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience as a player and coach, joined RoundGlass Punjab FC as the Head Coach in July. We are proud to welcome two-time I-League winner ASHLEY WESTWOOD as our new first-team head coach!! #AshleyWestwood #RGPFC #PunjabInSpirit #IndianFootball #AIFF #HeroILeague pic.twitter.com/Qugak92aWI — RoundGlass Punjab FC (@RGPunjabFC) July 21, 2021 × ALSO READ: ISL 2021-22: Bartholomew Ogbeche stars as Hyderabad FC beat Bengaluru FC 1-0 The Club, after an impressive I-League debut under new ownership last season, made a strong statement of intent in the summer transfer window as well. "The players we have signed give us balance and have been brought onboard for not only their abilities but also their professionalism and experience. I know the players I’ve worked with earlier will do things the right way and be role models for not only the younger players at the Club, but also those at our Academy and our fans. We wanted a balance of youth and experience in the squad so we can challenge for the I-League," Westwood said.

‘We aim to inspire with our game’: RoundGlass Punjab FC Head Coach Ashley Westwood ahead of new season

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‘We aim to inspire with our game’: RoundGlass Punjab FC Head Coach Ashley Westwood ahead of new season