Tiger Football Academy Wins the U-16 Girls’ Cup

SURABAYA, iNewsSurabaya.id – Although still relatively new to the football scene in Surabaya, Tigers Football Academy (TFA) continues to make significant strides in developing the sport in the region. After recently hosting a twelve-team U-12 boys’ tournament, the TFA U-16 Girls team achieved another milestone last weekend (6–8 October 2023) by winning the U-16 Girls’ Cup in Bali.

The four-team competition featured Bali Raptors, Bali Bulldogs, and Bali Football Academy. This inaugural event highlighted the growing popularity of women’s football following the Women’s World Cup in Australia. Tigers Football Academy conceded only one goal across five matches, dominating the event with a blend of skillful play, determination, and strong tactical awareness. They fought hard throughout the tournament, and their dynamic attacking style also impressed the spectators.

Team manager Rachel expressed her delight with the team’s victory but said that winning was not the main objective when they decided to join the tournament. "We just wanted to ensure our players gained meaningful experience and bonded as a team. For many of the girls, this was their first trip. Our academy is proud to give opportunities to the youth in our community. The players had fun and made many new friends. They represented TFA with great sportsmanship and were well-liked and respected by their opponents," she said.

Team captain Chloe, who inspired her team to victory, stated that the key to winning was positive teamwork. "Our team encouraged each other to keep playing and pushing forward, even when things seemed tough," she said. Midfielder Hana echoed the importance of teamwork: "There were times when some of us were tired, but we kept supporting each other and stayed positive."

Defender Natasha received praise for her sportsmanship after volunteering to play for BFA when they struggled to field enough players. Her generosity exemplified the values TFA promotes throughout the academy—respect, inclusivity, and enjoyment. "At TFA, we learn the importance of fair play and helping our opponents, while still keeping our desire to win!" she said.

The players have now returned to training and are preparing to host their own tournament in December, featuring teams from Bali and around Surabaya. Children interested in joining can register with TFA or visit their official Instagram account @tigers_footballacademy.