Pre-Season 2 Week 1

Hey guys,
This is the plan for next week:

1) IHG Hype Up Dinner - Monday, 27th December 2010
Time : 7pm

Venue : Hall 7 Comm Hall

Things to bring : Empty stomach

For those who are new, it is basically a day when all the teams will gather for a night of fun & FREE FOOD, planned and provided by the hall.
For us, it is a time to catch up with your team mates after more than a month of study break.

2) Training - Tuesday, 28th December 2010
Time : 4pm - 7pm
Those going from hall, meet at 330pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks, Shinpads

3) Friendly Match - Friday, 31st December 2010
Time : 430pm at SRC, ready in boots
(Timing tentative, confirm by Tuesday's training, but definitely in the afternoon/evening)
Those going from hall, meet at 345pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field

Attire : White top, Black shorts, Black socks, Shinpads

Since it's holidays now, and there are no more classes, I don't expect anyone to be late for training. Please come on time, if not it's very very disruptive. It's our last few sessions befoer IHG, if you want to win, it's time to get serious.

Lastly, Go ahead and enjoy your Post-exams/Christmas Party
However, those of you who are 7months pregnant after more than a month of intense mating with your studies, I would greatly appreciate it if you could fit in a few runs on your own to force a premature birth.

Before you go, confirm your attendance below!
Thanks alot and cya soon!

Fixtures for IHG 2010 / 2011

Hey guys,
the fixtures are out!

Opening match:
Team Se7en vs Hall 16
13th Jan 2011, Thursday, 1800 - 2000

2nd match:
19th Jan 2011, Wednesday, 1800-2000

Losers Pool:
25th Jan 2011, Tuesday, 1800-2000

QuarterFinals:
27th Jan 2011, Thursday, 1800-2000
7th Feb 2011, Monday, 1900-2100

SemiFinals:
10th Feb 2011, Thursday, 1900-2100

Finals:
14th Feb 2011, Monday, 1900-2100

Please take note of the dates above and keep the above days free. On matchdays, we'll meet 1hour before kickoff. So please make the necessary arrangements to ensure your availability.

However, as usual, the fixtures are TENTATIVE and are subjected to extremely volatile changes!
These are the reserve dates given:
12th Feb 2011, Saturday
13th Feb 2011, Sunday
19th Feb 2011, Saturday
20th Feb 2011, Sunday

Once again, given the world class standard of the organizing committee, please do not be surprised if any of the corrupted FIFA representative decides to re-schedule a game out of any of the above dates.

But for now, let's all do our part by making ourselves available for the above dates!

Training will start next week! I'll let you guys know asap once I confirm with coach. But be prepared as we're looking at twice weekly trainings/friendly matches.

THORB My Favourite Soccer Jersey Contest

Hey guys!

As the season is nearing after the exams, we got to order our jerseys soon!
We're most likely getting from THORB again this year, and we've zoomed in to these 3 designs.

1) Blue

2) Orange

3) Red

Thorb is charging us at $35 for a top, shorts and socks, printing included!
Please vote below to choose your favourite jersey!
Application closes on 2nd Dec 2010, Thursday 1159pm!





Till then, study hard!
Goodluck for the exams!

IHG Champions League Group Stage Draw

The lineup for the 2010/11 IHG Champions League group stage is complete and the 16 clubs have been split into four groups after the draw at 8pm on Thursday in Hall 5.



Team se7en will face reigning champions Powerpuff Boys (Hall 6, http://www.footballopod.com/Team_about.aspx?id=757 ) in the group stages, while they also face Durian Ice Kacang (Hall 14, http://www.footballopod.com/Team_about.aspx?id=756 ) and AirCon powerhouse Hall 16.


Keep a look out as the fixtures are expected to be out 22nd Nov 2010.

Team se7en Soccer Squad 10/11

Ok guys,
this is the squad list for this year!
For the jersey numbers, based on the choices that I got from you guys, it's given in terms of seniority (in Team se7en soccer), and if within the same batch there are still clashes, it's given on a first come first serve basis (who reply me first HAHA)

If you cannot play at all without your favourite number, or if you can score hattrick every match with your favourite number, you can always approach the person directly and bribe him.
By tomorrow (Wednesday), 10pm, if there are no changes, I'll send the size and numbers to the Sports Sec.

Chris	2		Kai Jie	14
Siva	3		Scott	16
Yuan Ming	4		Praveen	17
Vinod	5		Harvinder	18
Firdaus	6		Zhao Yao	19
Boon	7		Rong Hua	20
Peng	8		Aizat	21
Kelvinder	9		Jespal	22
Torrence	10		Jason Tan	23
Izzat	11		Marcus	26
Linus	12		Kugan	27
Wai Lun	13		Stanwin	37

Lastly, those of you who haven pay Siva $30, please pay by this week. If not, the gangsters will come after you this weekend with their parangs.

This week's training on Fri and match on Sunday are CONFIRMED!

Week 11

Hey Guys!

1.) Training - Friday 19th November
Time : 530pm - 830pm at SRC
Those going from hall, meet at 5pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks, Shinpads

2.) Friendly match vs Hall 2 - Sunday, 21th November
Time : 330pm at SRC, READY IN BOOTS
Those going from hall, meet at 245pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field (Same as Hall 6 Match)

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks, Shinpads

3.) Please click on the link below to fill up your particulars!
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AkHDncqwV2bOdHF5clVGeUcwYklwWlJVT2tEZ2VqMFE&hl=en

Week 10

Guys,

Training this week is confirmed, our favourite Coach is coming!

1.) Training this week -Friday, 12th November
Time : 530pm - 830pm at SRC
Those going from hall, meet at 5pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks, Shinpads

2.) Friendly match vs Hall 3 - Sunday, 14th November
Time : 330pm at SRC, READY IN BOOTS
Those going from hall, meet at 245pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field (Same as Hall 6 Match)

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks, Shinpads

3.) Soccer Fund
Hall 7 Residents, please bring $30 and pay Siva during this Friday's training!

UPDATES for Sunday's Friendly

Hey guys, take note of the change in timing for Sunday's friendly match.
Meeting time has been brought forward to 330pm at SRC, READY IN BOOTS.
I've updated the details in the previous post too.

In case you are wondering, both the matches and the training are CONFIRMED.
Those of you who cannot make it for any of the sessions, if you happen to change your plans and can make it already, just leave me a message and post on the comments section too!

Don't forget to bring the $30!

Cya guys!

Updates for the next 2 weeks (Week 9 & 10)

Hey guys!
There are quite a few things on hand to confirm!

1.) Training this week - Thursday, 4th November
Time : 530pm at SRC
Those going from hall, meet at 5pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field (The other end of the field, as we might need to shift to the lousy field behind when IVP rugby takes over the field at 7)

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks, Shinpads

2.) Friendly match vs Hall 6 - Sunday, 7th November
Time : 330pm at SRC, READY IN BOOTS
Those going from hall, meet at 3pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field (Where we always train)

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks, Shinpads

3.) Training next week - Tentatively Friday, 12th November
I'll confirm with coach after this week's training, it'll either be on thursday or friday, so please keep both days free for now!

4.) Friendly match vs Hall 11 - Saturday, 13th November
Time : 930am at SRC READY IN BOOTS
Those going from hall, meet at 9am at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field (Where we always train)

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks, Shinpads

5.) Soccer Fund
Ok as you all know, coach has started coming for training, so we have to start paying him.
I need to collect $30 from every Hall 7 resident. As for the squatters in our team, I'm not collecting from you guys, as you have to pay squatting fees. JCRC will be subsiding a small part of it (Don't get your hopes too high though hahaha).

Please bring on thursday for training. Siva will help me collect. If you cannot come, bring during Sunday's match or the next time you're present!

Training - Week 8

Hey guys!
Training will be on Friday this week, cause OUR DEAREST COACH IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1


And he's only able to make it on Friday.

However, I need to know how many of you can make it, cause if there are only 10 or 11 players, no point wasting coach's time coming all the way down from Bedok.

I know that it's Friday and most of you want to go home/go out with girlfriend or have some plans, but please understand that if we want to go further this year, have to train really hard and make some sacrifices lah!

Pls try your best to make it ah!

Time : 5pm at SRC (PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE)
Those going from hall, meet at 440pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Rugby Field (Where we always train)

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks (Shinpads are COMPULSORY)

First Pre-Season Friendly!

Hey guys,
this is our first friendly match for the season. As we're a new team with many new players joining us this year, this should be the first of many friendly matches to come!
Details are as follows:

Opponents: Hall 14

Date : 21st October 2010, Thursday

Time : 415pm at SRC (PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE)
Those going from hall, meet at 4pm at Blk 39 Stonetable

Venue : SRC Side Field (Where we always train)

Attire : Black top, Black shorts, Black socks (Shinpads are COMPULSORY)

Siva & Praveen, please bring 7 balls, all the markers (Cones not needed) and both set of bibs!

Nike launches 'Elite Series' football boots to be worn by world's best footballers in South Africa

BEAVERTON, Ore. (May 3, 2010) – NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today unveiled its supercharged Nike Elite Series football boots providing new levels of performance. Nike’s Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II, CTR360 Maestri, Total90 Laser III and Tiempo Legend III all feature new performance upper to improve on-field visibility and a reengineered outsole to deliver lightweight performance for every style of player.

Nike designers have reduced the weight of each boot so players can perform at their best. Lightweight construction, intricate engineering, carbon-enforced strength and high contrast colors distinguish the boots.

The high contrast colors (Metallic Mach Purple and Total Orange) are engineered together for enhanced visibility. For a footballer this unique combination is designed to increase visual performance enabling them to quickly spot their teammates and execute a game-changing pass.

“At Nike, we have a relentless focus on product innovation to give athletes a real competitive edge and deliver the best products in the world,” said Andrew Caine, Nike Design Director for Football Footwear. “The Nike Elite Series delivers lightweight and highly engineered boots for the leading players in the world to perform on the biggest stage this summer”.

Lightweight performance and enhanced on-field visibility

Research shows that the average energy expenditure of an elite player is over 1,000 Kilo Calories per game for a 75kg player. Reducing the weight carried by players helps reduce the energy needed over the course of 90 minutes. By delivering lightweight supercharged performance to all four of Nike’s statement level boots the goal is to give players an edge in the final stages of a game.

Super-strong, lightweight carbon fiber plates mean the Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II is 5% lighter. The CTR360 Maestri is 19% lighter. Both the Total90 Laser III and Tiempo Legend III are 16% lighter.

With nearly four years of game analysis, biomechanical studies and player testing the design team and Nike Sports Research Lab (NSRL) collaborated to understand how to deliver new product innovations including incorporating visual performance benefits into boot design.

An average person’s vision is 99% peripheral. Under 1% is considered foveal, or focused vision. To spark increased focus of peripheral vision Nike designers analyzed the color spectrum to identify two, high-contrast colors, so that when a player is running with these boots the colors trigger a stimulus to rapidly tune peripheral vision. Mach Purple and Total Orange provided the perfect blend to create this effect and performance advantage.

The Elite Series is available to players at all levels and also incorporates Nike Football+ which features exclusive insider access to the world’s best coaches, players and teams for total game improvement. Nike Football+ Master Series builds expertise in Control, Accuracy and Speed through elite insights and pro training. This includes a special Elite Series signature move from Atletico Madrid and Argentina star Sergio Aguero that will launch at the end of May.

All four Elite Series boots, the Nike Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II, Nike CTR360 Maestri, Nike Total90 Laser III and Nike Tiempo Legend III, are available at retail and at www.nikestore.com as of May 22, 2010.

Here in Singapore, the boots are available at Nike Wisma, Nike Vivocity, and Weston, at the following prices:

Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II – SGD 629
Nike CTR360 Maestri Elite – SGD 469

Nike Total90 Laser Elite – SGD 499
Nike Tiempo Legend Elite – SGD 429

Training for the new season

Hey guys,

If any of you are interested to improve and be champions again, you can actually contact coach.

He has a team outside that you can play soccer on a regular basis in.

The standard is quite high so would help you improve.

Unless you think you are damn good then no need already..

NIKE INTRODUCES 2010 NATIONAL TEAM KITS DESIGNED FOR INCREASED PERFORMANCE WITH LOWER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Many of the world's leading players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Robinho and Ji-Sung Park will take to the pitch in South Africa this summer wearing the most environmentally-friendly and technologically-advanced kit in football's history. For the first time, all of Nike’s national teams, including Brazil, Portugal and The Netherlands, will be wearing jerseys made entirely from recycled polyester, each one produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles. Nike unveiled the new national team kits with several footballers at a global media event at Battersea Power Station in London.

“This summer in South Africa Nike will give footballers an edge by providing the newest and most innovative product for the game’s greatest players,” said Charlie Denson, President, Nike Brand. “With today’s announcement, we are equipping athletes with newly designed uniforms that not only look great and deliver performance benefits, but are also made with recycled materials, creating less impact on our environment.”

To make the 2010 national team kits, Nike’s fabric suppliers sourced discarded plastic bottles from Japanese and Taiwanese landfill sites and then melted them down to produce new yarn that was ultimately converted to fabric for the jerseys.

This process saves raw materials and reduces energy consumption by up to 30 percent compared to manufacturing virgin polyester. By using recycled polyester for its new range of national jerseys, Nike prevented nearly 13 million plastic bottles, totaling nearly 254,000 kg of polyester waste, from going into landfill sites. This amount would be enough to cover more than 29 football pitches. If the recycled bottles used to make the jerseys were laid end-to-end they would cover more than 3,000 kilometres, which is more than the entire coastline of South Africa.

The national team kits represent an important step in the process to make all Nike products more sustainable.

In addition, all the national team kits have been designed with each country’s national culture and identity in mind. Nike understands the pride athletes experience playing for their country so each kit has been designed to represent the heritage and unique football culture of the nine national teams.

Kit Innovations

Considering the environment doesn’t mean sacrificing the innovative performance elements of Nike’s kits. For this summer’s finals, the kits have been designed to keep players drier, cooler and more comfortable, allowing them to maintain an optimum body temperature and perform at their best on the pitch.

Improved Nike Dri-Fit fabric, now 15 percent lighter than previous Nike kit fabrications, helps keep players dry by drawing sweat to the outside of the garment where it evaporates. Ventilation zones have been placed on each side of the jersey to enhance breathability, and are combined with a fabric that increases air flow by up to seven percent compared to previous kits. Air can now pass across a player’s whole torso, keeping him cooler. These ventilation zones consist of up to 200 tiny laser cut holes which are backed by Nike’s innovative halo application. This treatment prevents ripping without reducing air flow.

The Nike kit shorts also have additional ventilation zones placed below the waistband and near the base of the spine, so this area prone to high sweat levels will now be significantly drier.

The jersey’s new double knit structure not only gives it a sleeker appearance, while offering 10 percent more stretch than the last Nike national team kit jerseys , but also boasts a new dynamic fit cut to follow the natural contours of the body while still allowing for maximum airflow and movement.

Players will also incorporate the unique benefits of Nike Pro Combat into their respective national team kits. Featuring an engineered system of dress, Pro Combat includes Slider and Impact shorts for added protection against light impact and abrasion along with a therma Mock that protects players’ necks against harsh conditions.

The teams wearing Nike’s new national team jerseys in South Africa are: Brazil, The Netherlands, Portugal, USA, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, and Slovenia.

The team kits for Brazil, The Netherlands, South Korea, Australia and Portugal are available in Singapore. Each kit retails at SG $99 and is available at Nike Wisma, on nike.com and nikefootball.com.

Train like the Brazilians

NIKE LAUNCHES MERCURIAL VAPOR SUPERFLY II, DELIVERING GREATER SPEED AND EXCLUSIVE INSIDER ACCESS TO THE WORLD’S TOP PLAYERS

At a global media event featuring footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in London, NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today unveiled the Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II, a lightweight boot featuring a new, unique adaptive traction system designed for explosive acceleration. The Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II features a reengineered upper for enhanced fit and ball control for fast feet while the vibrant ultra-violet color boosts visibility on the pitch.

“NIKE, Inc. is the world’s largest and most innovative football company,” said Mark Parker, NIKE, Inc.’s President & CEO. “Our success in the world’s most popular sport is based on creating innovative products and experiences such as the new, incredibly light and responsive Mercurial SuperFly II boot and Nike Football+ which connects the digital and physical worlds of football. These are among Nike’s most advanced products to date and will help write the next chapter for Nike football.”

Traction on demand

In developing NIKE SENSE adaptive traction technology, designers created an adaptive stud that can extend and retract by up to 3mm, based on ground conditions and pressure exerted by the player. Directionally positioned blades maximize cutting and allow for quick changes of direction, while secondary toe traction provides added toe-off power for those first critical steps. The result is a boot that enables greater speed in all directions.

Nike’s design and engineering teams talked with some of the fastest players in the world, who emphasized that acceleration around a defender is just as important as beating him in a straight line. The Nike Sports Research Lab researched the world championship finals in 2006 and found that there were 845 slipping events over 63 games, or roughly 14 per game. Building on these insights, the Nike team collaborated closely with elite athletes including Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato to create a boot that enables toe-off acceleration and minimizes slippage in game-changing situations.

“For me, it’s all about first-step acceleration, but twisting and turning around a defender is also important,” Cristiano Ronaldo said. “The Mercurial Vapor Superfly II helps me do both, so I can beat my opponent and create scoring opportunities.”

Athlete insights also pointed to the desire for a close fit around the foot without compromising on durability or support. Next-generation Nike Flywire technology incorporated into the boot’s streamlined upper provides a lightweight, strong and more dynamic fit. The carbon composite tuned chassis provides a lightweight platform with traction elements and allows players to stay closer to the ground.

Access to the elite through Nike Football+

The Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II also gives consumers unprecedented access to the training insights of the world’s top players, teams and coaches through Nike Football+. Each pair of boots comes with a unique user code that can be used to unlock trade secrets from inside the game and the next installment of Nike Football+, Master Speed training content on NikeFootball.com.

The Nike Football + Master Speed program provides exclusive access to Brazil national team stars Robinho, Fabiano and Nilmar, putting the power of speed directly into footballers’ hands and their game daypreparation. Four camps are available:

• A Pelada – Learn high-speed ways to practice fast, competitive Brazilian football.
• O Brasilerao – Meet the coaches and players of Brazil’s premier club, Corinthians. Experience four authentic drills with top club coaches.
• Na Gringa – Only the best Brazilians go to Europe. Get the inside track on the real difference between the continental games from the superstars who experience it – and apply it to your own game.
• A Selecao –Enter the top secret world of the Brazil National Team’s training hideaway in the mountains, Granja Comery. Experience squad drills and 3-man exercises with a top CBF coach.

Building on the Master Speed program, “Inside the Elite” is a new feature offering exclusive inside access to players. Athletes including Robinho, Javier Mascherano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic offer candid insights on their game and match preparation.

In addition to these Nike Football+ Master Speed programs, footballers will have access to country-specific Nike Football+ activities like training sessions, trial events and player appearances. Nike Football+ is also available as an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch on iTunes®.

The Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II boot is available at retail globally and at www.nikestore.com from April 1^st 2010. Here in Singapore, the boot will retail at $629. Nike Football+ can be accessed at www.nikesoccer.com.

London, UK (March 9, 2010) Three leading European football leagues will turn (RED)™ this weekend as Nike introduces a special edition (PRODUCT)^RED™ ball in the leagues’ home fixtures to raise awareness of the (NIKE) ^RED ‘Lace Up. Save Lives’ partnership.

In a unified show of support for the global initiative, Barclays Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A will use a (NIKE)^RED ball at all home games over the weekend of March 13^th and 14^th.

The Nike and (RED) partnership invites people to ‘Lace Up. Save Lives’ by purchasing a pair of (NIKE)^RED laces. One hundred percent of the profits from (NIKE)^RED laces is split equally between The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which funds AIDS programs that provide medicine, treatment and services for those living with HIV, and football-based community initiatives that deliver education and understanding around HIV/AIDS prevention.

The (NIKE)^RED ball is a specially designed T90 Ascente – the same make of ball currently used by all three leagues and boasts all of the technological innovations that the players are accustomed to week in week out, but features the (RED) laces graphic on the exterior.

Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League, said: “The Premier League has enormous global appeal and we are committed to using our reach to raise awareness of this partnership between, Nike, one of our longest serving commercial partners, and (RED). A red ball and red laces are simple ideas, but sometimes those are the best – the hope is that the profile given through this and the money raised through ‘Lace Up, Save Lives’ will provide significant impetus and funding to the Global Fund’s activities to aid the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Africa.”

Susan Smith Ellis, CEO of (RED) says: “Having three of the world’s Premier football leagues is a force multiplier for NIKE AND (RED). It raises awareness. It expands our reach. Most important, it benefits those who suffer from AIDS in Africa. We could not be more pleased.”

“Nike has a history of elevating global causes through sport. Through the power and appeal of football, this campaign not only highlights the HIV/AIDS issue globally, it has also created a great way to raise much needed funds,” said Mark Parker, President & CEO of NIKE, Inc.

On November 30^th, 2009, the eve of World AIDS Day, Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal), Denilson (Arsenal), Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan), Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), Clint Dempsey (Fulham) and Seol Ki-Hyeon (Fulham) joined U2 front man Bono and Mark Parker at Niketown London to announce the partnership.

The (NIKE)^RED Limited Edition Ascente Ball will be available in Singapore for SGD$179.00 and 2010 (NIKE)^RED Limited Edition Brasil N98 Track Jackets will also be at SGD$179.00 and both will be sold globally from March. (NIKE)^RED products are also now being sold at retail. (NIKE)^RED laces are available now at Nike Wisma.

John Wilkinson shares his thoughts on the (RED) campaign, settling down in Singapore with a family and his love for the game.

Nike (RED) Campaign

Hi John, thanks for being here with us today. To start off, how do you feel about being a Nike (RED) campaign ambassador?

I feel honoured to be part of the Nike (RED) campaign, and hope to bring a greater understanding of HIV/ AIDS to Singapore, especially the youth here.

How can football help in spreading the message?

Football is a global game – being played, watched, and talked about in almost every country – the perfect vehicle to promote this campaign.

How does it feel wearing the (RED) laces? Will you be wearing them for the current S-League season?

I feel a strong sense of responsibility being one of the Nike (RED) ambassadors, having worn the red laces for a while now. I think they look cool and will definitely be wearing them as often as I can, and not just for the S-league games.

Personal Life

How did you first get into the game?

Like most of the boys growing up in England, I was thrown a football as soon as I could walk and haven't stopping kicking it nearly thirty years on. Growing up, there was never any doubt in my mind what I wanted do, and everything else had to take a back seat.

What made you decide to do this as a career, and what challenges have you faced along the way?

Wanting to be a professional player and being one are two different things. There are literally thousands of lads to compete with, so if you get a serious injury (which was what happened to me) there is always someone to take your place. At the end of the day, mental strength is the most important asset to an athlete.

How do you feel you’ve contributed to football here?

It's been a successful three years in the national team and I've really enjoyed playing in the big games. I would like to think that I've added strength, flexibility and energy into the side.

What is the best and worst thing about being a professional football player?

Worst thing – Crappy pitches.

Best thing – I have the best job in the world.

What have you grown to love about Singapore and what do you miss about England?

Singapore's my home now. I have chosen to build my base and family here. But I have also left behind my mother and sisters in England, and missed the growing up of my seven nieces and nephews.

What do you do during your free time?

When I'm not with my daughters, I like to paint. It's a form of escapism for me, and allows me to express my creativity.

So what’s the secret to keeping yourself fit enough to last the long season?

Everyone's physique is different. One thing I've learned recently about my body is that I feel much lighter and fresher if I always keep it in a state of activity. I try to never have two days of complete rest in a row. Even if it’s a day off, I will do something to get my heart rate up – be it tennis, swimming, Pilates, or even just chasing my elder daughter around.

Name some essential items you have in your training bag.

I always have a pair of Nike Cushioned Comfort Crew Socks to keep the blisters at bay, and a pair of Nike Base layer shorts to wear under my match/training shorts. They help keep me in order. There are also other items such as a pair of shades and toiletries.

With the World Cup coming, who would you like to see in the finals and why?

I can't wait until the World Cup is upon us. It's going to be amazing to see if England will lift the World Cup again after so long.

If Singapore doesn’t get to broadcast the games here, what will you do to get your football fix?

I hope that FIFA and the powers that be can sort out the viewing rights here. Otherwise, I guess I'll have to try and watch it on the internet.

NIKE AND (RED)™ UNITE TO LEVERAGE THE POWER OF SPORT TO FIGHT HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA

Leading footballers join forces to announce a partnership designed to get people to “Lace Up. Save Lives”

Singapore (December 1st, 2009) – On the day before World Aids Day, some of the world’s best footballers joined Bono at the announcement of a partnership between NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) and (RED).

Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal), Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan), Denilson (Arsenal), Lucas Neill (Everton), Clint Dempsey (Fulham) and Seol Ki-Hyeon (Fulham), came together in London yesterday to announce a partnership between NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) and (RED).

This unique partnership delivers a two-pronged approach to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa by delivering funds to support programs that offer education and medication on the ground and will harness the power of sport to engage youth around the world in the fight against AIDS in Africa.

In making the partnership announcement, Mark Parker, President and CEO of Nike Inc., Susan Smith Ellis, CEO, (RED) and Professor Michel D. Kazatchkine Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS , Tuberculosis and Malaria were joined by footballers from around the world and U2 vocalist and (RED) co-founder Bono, to emphasize the need for global action and participation to eliminate AIDS in Africa.

"The fight against AIDS in Africa needs great brands to drive awareness and engagement,” said Susan Smith Ellis, CEO, (RED). “Nike is the right partner to connect education with sport, and in so doing help drive social change, prevention and understanding of HIV/AIDS. We are thrilled to have them with us."

Nike has a proven history of elevating global causes to create consumer awareness and participation. “As a global brand and creative company, Nike can play a role in amplifying this important issue,” said Mark Parker, President and CEO of Nike Inc. “With football as the catalyst, Nike is joining the (RED) movement to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.”

The Nike and (RED) concept is a simple one that invites people to “Lace Up. Save Lives” by purchasing a pair of NIKE (PRODUCT)^RED™ laces. One hundred percent of the profits from (NIKE)^RED laces will be split equally between The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which funds AIDS programs that provide medicine for those living with HIV, and Nike football-based community initiatives that deliver education and understanding around HIV/AIDS prevention. This unique partnership delivers programs that both medicate and educate.

Progress has been made in the drive to reduce HIV infections in Africa, with fourteen countries reporting a decline in the prevalence of the disease. This is great news and proves the fight can be won. But AIDS remains one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. An estimated 3,800 men, women and children die in sub-Saharan Africa every day, in addition to 6,000 new infections every day among 15-24 year old men and women.

“The (RED) Nike laces can tie athletes around the world together with people living under threat from HIV in Africa in a beautiful way,” said Professor Michel D. Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “Wearing these (RED) laces is a sign that you care about others – and it helps us to protect and treat millions of people who every day risk infection or struggle with the effects of HIV.”

“(RED) has created a sustainable way to engage business in funding the fight against AIDS in Africa on a grand scale. Its partnerships not only deliver funds to buy medicine to keep people alive but also provides the leverage needed for us to demonstrate to the public sector that this partnership works and to garner additional support,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Minister of Health of Ethiopia and Chairman of the Board of Directors, The Global Fund. “The addition of Nike to the (RED) initiative will only strengthen this impact as it will help us take this message to millions of football fans around the world and engage them in this issue through their passion for sport.”

(Nike)^RED laces will be available December 1^st at Nike Store locations and key retailers worldwide. Here in Singapore, the laces can be purchased at the Nike Flagship Store in Wisma Atria at SGD$7.00 per pair. Additional (NIKE) ^RED products will be introduced in the coming months.

To show their support for this meaningful cause, national football players Precious Emuejeraye, John Wilkinson, Hariss Harun and Indra Sahdan will also lace up in support of the campaign.