Graeme Le Saux during his time at Chelsea
Chelsea’s Search for an Asian Star project will offer young footballers of Asian descent the opportunity to earn a place in the club’s academy system. One of the project’s ambassadors is club legend Graeme Le Saux.
Q. Graeme, can you tell us a little bit more about the project...
The Search for an Asian Star project is a call for young aspiring U12,13 and 14 footballers with Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan or Bangladeshi heritage to come down to Chelsea¹s training ground for a series of tests designed by the Chelsea Academy and small sided games.
The best players from each of the age groups will be invited for a three day trial with Chelsea during the summer to pit their skills against some of the best young players in London and the South East. Anyone meeting the standards set by Chelsea will be invited to join the academy system.
We will also be inviting coaches and scouts from other clubs down to Cobham from local junior clubs to Premier League academies to the event to see if there are any players who they feel would benefit their clubs. We want to provide all players with opportunities not just a few.
Q. Sounds like a really interesting scheme. How did it come about?
There¹s no doubt that Asian players have been under represented at not just the top level of football but throughout the game as whole. Whilst the project may not uncover the next superstar we hope it will help inspire young Asian players at all levels and show that the game is taking their concerns seriously.
Q. Are you hoping to unearth the next Frank Lampard or Nicolas Anelka?
We simply don¹t know! We have had success with the Football Icon programme and Carl Magney is now on loan at Northampton and although he is currently injured has started for their first team. Whether we do or not we just want to help inspire young Asian players to get involved at all levels of the game.
Q. Is this part of a wider drive to explore talent that undoubtedly lies in the Asian community?
Very much so. We will also be inviting scouts, managers and coaches from all levels of the game from clubs in London and the South East down to Cobham to identify talented players.
We want this to be a networking opportunity as well as a competition. We aren¹t saying that this will solve all the problems in one go but it is step in the right direction.
Outside of the Asian Star project Chelsea are embarking on a tour of community groups and schools in Asian communities to provide free coaching sessions and to speak to community leaders about any barriers facing young Asians taking up the game. We are also proud supporters of the Asian Community Cup which has been held at Stamford Bridge for the last four years.
Q. Chelsea is renowned for its pioneering outreach programme. This seems to be another extension of this work...
Yes. As a club identifying and nurturing talent from the Asian community is something we are taking seriously. As with all our community programmes it is not about cultivating new fans or selling shirts it is about getting young people to enjoy football and create opportunities for them that otherwise may not exist.
