Rovers FC is proud to announce that 19 of the 25 players selected to represent Seychelles in a prestigious FIFA-funded four-year scholarship programme in France are graduates of the 2012/2013 Elite generation. This week, the players departed for France to begin the next chapter of their football and academic development.

Over the past five years, since the age of eight, this group has progressed through a structured high-performance pathway built on intensive weekly training, competitive fixtures and sustained international exposure. The development model emphasised long-term progression — technically, tactically, physically and mentally — under clear standards and accountability.

In June, the young Rovers side spent a full month competing in France across multiple elite tournaments and matches against professional European academies. They secured numerous victories over established clubs and returned home with two tournament trophies, achieving a level of sustained success abroad that had never before been seen from a Seychellois team at any age level. These performances demonstrated unequivocally that this generation can compete directly with — and overcome — top European opposition.

In July, many of these same players formed a major component of the 25-man Seychelles National Team squad that recorded international victories over Comoros and Algeria. Delivering at elite club level in Europe and then contributing decisively within the national setup made it evident that a truly exceptional generation had emerged. The subsequent four-year FIFA scholarship programme represents both recognition of that achievement and a strategic investment in players who have already proven their international standard.

This achievement is a testament to the strength of the Rovers Elite Programme and the people driving it — particularly Head Coach Rupert Pool and Academy Director Lucas Panayi, whose long-term vision and daily commitment shaped this group from its earliest stages.

Rupert Pool, Head Coach:

“We began working with these boys at eight years old. At that stage, they were not viewed as the strongest in the country. Through five years of structure, discipline and relentless standards, they have progressed to a level that speaks for itself.”

Lucas Panayi, Academy Director:

“This generation confirms that when young players are given the right environment and international exposure, they can close the gap with established football nations. The pathway is delivering exactly what it was designed to deliver.”

As these players settle into life and training in France, Rovers will continue to monitor and support their progress closely.

The Rovers Elite Programme continues with the 2015/2016 generation, currently advancing through the same demanding pathway, with the ambition to match — and exceed — the standards set before them. Parents of talented young players who aspire to elite football development are encouraged to get in touch and become part of the next generation raising the level of Seychelles football.

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Rovers FC’s U13 Elite Programme has firmly announced itself on the European stage, improving on last year’s 12th-place Madewis Cup finish by claiming 10th among some of the continent’s finest. Competing against powerhouses such as Juventus FC, Paris FC and SC Braga, Rovers stood toe-to-toe with each opponent—most notably pushing eventual finalists Paris FC to an intense 2–1 defeat only in the closing minutes.

Such performances are unprecedented for a Seychellois youth side. “To challenge and outplay these academies shows we’re already on par—if not beyond—many European standards,” said Head Coach Rupert Pool. “This generation has shattered expectations and proven that hard work, vision and structure can elevate Seychelles football to new heights.”

Alongside the Madewis fixtures, Rovers have faced 13 different professional clubs and academies—securing impressive victories over Nîmes Olympique, Marignane Gignac Côte Bleue, USA Clichy 92 and an English Junior Premier League Select XI to name a few. Each win underscored the gap Rovers have closed on established European systems in just four years of intensive development.

“This French tour is a statement,” added Pool. “From our tactical discipline to our physical resilience, we’re not here merely to participate—we’re here to compete and win.”

Academy Director Lucas Panayi remarked on the wider significance: “For a team from Seychelles to hold its own against elite youth sides is a monumental achievement. Our development model has been battle-tested on European soil, and the results speak for themselves. We owe a debt of gratitude to SFF Technical Director Osama Haroun, whose programmes, support and local groundwork have made these opportunities possible.”

Rovers’ French tour continues for another week, with daily matches and mini-tournaments scripted against at least a dozen more professional clubs and academies. Each fixture offers further proof that Seychelles’ next generation of footballers can match the best—cementing Rovers FC’s role as trailblazers for youth development in the Indian Ocean region.

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We sat down with Rovers FC’s U13 Head Coach, Rupert Pool, to explore the vision and hard work behind our U13 Elite Programme. From its ten-year development pathway and domestic dominance to annual European expeditions and national selection success, Coach Pool shares how each element—from rigorous training and data-driven analysis to international competition—has combined to prepare our players for professional football and elevate Seychelles football as a whole.

Your Elite Programme began four years ago. What foundational elements did Rovers put in place from the start to build this pathway?

Rupert Pool: From day one, Rovers implemented a schedule of four weekly training sessions focusing on advanced ball mastery, tactical systems and small-sided simulations. Strength and conditioning was integrated each week to develop athletic resilience. We used data analytics to benchmark against elite-level European metrics, ensuring transparent, measurable targets. Crucially, since the age of 9–10, our players have competed in the U13 domestic league against older opponents, accelerating both their technical adaptability and mental toughness.

Rovers went unbeaten in domestic league matches this season, often scoring over 20 goals per game—how does that align with your long-term objectives?

Rupert Pool: Our focus has always been to develop professional-ready players for the international stage. Each year we conduct European expeditions—competing in tournaments and training with elite academies—to gauge our progress beyond Seychelles. These annual trips and our domestic record together ensure we continuously refine our methods and confirm our players meet and exceed professional standards.

Building on Rovers’ successful European expeditions in 2023 and 2024—against AC Milan, Dallas FC, Benfica and Olympique de Marseille—how does this year’s Madewis Cup and France tour elevate the squad’s development and international profile?

Rupert Pool: Each tour has progressively increased in scope, duration and competitiveness. In 2023, we spent one week in France; 2024 saw two weeks; and this year’s three-week expedition offers even more sustained high-intensity matches. Competing in the Madewis Cup against Juventus CF, Paris FC and the Junior Premier League Selection provides daily exposure to elite football environments. This gradual extension of time abroad deepens our players’ tactical insight and technical resilience, reinforcing lessons from past trips and pushing them toward professional standards.

How long is the Rovers Elite Programme designed to last, and what happens after U13?

Rupert Pool: The Elite Programme guides players from age 8 all the way through to 17 or 18, aiming to prepare them for professional careers—ideally overseas. In fact, we’ve already begun nurturing a new generation of U10 athletes under the same framework, currently in scouting and trial phases. Parents with talented children interested in joining should reach out—this is a unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of our current cohort.

Many have asked how you manage the demands of leading such a comprehensive programme on your own. How do you cope with these responsibilities and maintain quality across all areas?

Rupert Pool: Our head coach role is complemented by Rovers’ academy director overseeing player pathways, a full-time goalkeeper coach specialising in goalkeeper training, and an assistant coach managing technical drills. We host UEFA-qualified visiting coaches throughout the year, and behind the scenes a team of technical analysts and managers handles logistics and performance data integration. This structure mirrors professional academies abroad, surpassing any local setup while staying grounded in continuous learning and best practices.

Beyond your work with players, how have you, as head coach, developed professionally during this programme?

Rupert Pool: I’ve pursued CAF coaching licences and participated in continual professional development courses to enhance my methods and leadership. I recognize that our local coaching standards must advance alongside player growth. Our European tours aren’t just for players—they give coaches firsthand insight into elite training frameworks. This process keeps us humble and motivated to bring back best practices, ensuring Seychelles coaching evolves.

Critics have suggested Rovers’ friendship with the SFF influenced the 17 national selections. What’s your response?

Rupert Pool: Selection was purely merit-based. Players achieved outstanding technical and physical scores during the SFF’s trials—benchmarks identical for every candidate. These players have been on the radar for some time, with their growth and consistency evident well before this season’s achievements. Matching elite-level European standards, they earned their spots through performance, not politics. Hard work pays off.

With 17 players staying on for a five-week national selection camp under FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme in France, how does that process integrate with Rovers’ own development model?

Rupert Pool: The camp complements our framework by reinforcing advanced tactical drills and performance profiling within the FIFA TDS structure. Rovers’ methodologies and the SFF’s curriculum align perfectly, ensuring seamless continuity as these players transition from club to national duties.

Looking ahead, how do you see both this summer’s expedition and the broader Rovers Elite Programme shaping the future of Seychelles football?

Rupert Pool: These players will set a new standard of professionalism domestically. Their development through Rovers’ Elite Programme—combining four weekly training sessions, competitive domestic fixtures and progressive European expeditions—has forged athletes who serve as ambassadors for Rovers FC and Seychelles football, inspiring younger cohorts and elevating standards across the nation. On that note, I would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us through every step of this journey.

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Rovers FC proudly announces that the U13 Elite Programme squad will depart for France on June 1 for a three-week expedition to compete in the renowned Madewis Cup (June 5–8), featuring Juventus CF, Paris FC and a Junior Premier League Selection. This follows successful French tours in 2023 and 2024 against AC Milan, Dallas FC, Benfica and Olympique de Marseille, solidifying Rovers’ presence on the international stage.

Rovers’ Elite Programme has nurtured these players since age 8 through four weekly training sessions and competitive fixtures. This four-year investment in technical mastery, physical conditioning and tactical acumen—supported by data-driven performance analysis and international exposure—produced an undefeated National League season in 2024/25. Rovers outscored opponents by over 200 goals and secured 17 national selections due to outstanding technical and physical results in the SFF selection tests, matching elite-level European standards for their age group.

The summer expedition promises exceptional prestige: group-stage clashes in the Madewis Cup against top-tier youth squads, followed by high-profile friendlies with academies such as Olympique Lyonnais and other distinguished clubs across southern France. These encounters will challenge Rovers’ players, accelerate their development and further cement Rovers FC’s reputation as the premier leader in youth player development.

Following the French expedition (June 1–21), the 17 selected players will remain in France for a five-week U13 national selection camp under the SFF’s Technical Director as part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS). The remainder of the U13 squad will return to Seychelles to resume domestic training and competitions.

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Following a successful trip to France for the prestigious Madewis League, a contingent of young Rovers FC players, spanning both U11 and U12 age groups, has returned to Seychelles brimming with experience and a renewed determination to excel. This marks the second year Rovers FC has participated in this international tournament, having competed in the U10 category last year.

Competing against top international talent, Rovers FC secured commendable finishes in both their categories. Notably, the U11 team, facing fierce competition, finished an impressive 13th out of a staggering 44 teams. Their group stage saw them face two teams that ultimately reached the top 10 finalists, including the esteemed La Liga club, Granada CF.

Madewis solidified its reputation as a global youth football powerhouse, featuring teams like AC Milan, eventual champions, Benfica, Braga (Portugal), Yverdon Sports (Switzerland), FC Dallas (USA), and Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique Marseille (France), alongside many more top European academies. The final saw a thrilling 1-0 victory for AC Mila n over Benfica.

The trip also included a training and preparatory camp where Rovers FC had the unique opportunity to visit the academy campuses of top professional clubs, like Olympique de Marseille, and test their skills against them. Additionally, the international stage allowed them to face off against talented teams from around the world, including FC Dallas from the MLS.

Impressively, across their participation in France, Rovers FC found the back of the net a staggering 30 times.

“This experience has been invaluable for both our players and coaches,” shared Rovers FC Head Coach, Rupert Pool. “Competing against such high-calibre teams exposed them to a different level of play, highlighting areas where we can further refine our skills.”

Lucas Panayi, Academy Director at Rovers FC, echoed this sentiment. “The learning opportunities on this trip are immeasurable. Now that we’re back, we’re eager to get back on the training pitch and work even harder to close the gap to the European standard.”

Despite financial challenges, Rovers FC is already planning their return to Europe next year.

“Investing in these international experiences is imperative for the development of our young players,” Panayi emphasised. “We are committed to providing them with the resources and opportunities necessary to reach their full potential on the world stage.”

Rovers FC’s journey at the Madewis League has not only yielded impressive results but also fuelled a burning desire for further growth. With their sights set on future challenges, Rovers FC is poised to continue making Seychelles proud on the international football scene.

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Rovers FC is thrilled to announce their return to the prestigious Madewis Cup in Istres, France, from May 30th to June 2nd, 2024. This year, Rovers will be fielding teams in both the U11 (born 2013) and U12 (born 2012) age categories, providing an even greater opportunity for their young Seychellois players to compete against top international competition.

The Madewis Cup is a renowned youth football tournament that brings together over 12,000 players aged 6 to 13 from across the globe. The tournament features qualifiers throughout France, with winners joining international professional clubs at the Super Final.

In 2023, Rovers FC participated in the U10 category, achieving an impressive 6th place finish against teams like Olympique de Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais, and Ajaccio. This year, Rovers FC is expanding its participation to include both its U11 and U12 teams, reflecting the academy’s continued growth and success.

Rovers FC is committed to providing its players with a pathway to professional football. By participating in international tournaments like the Madewis Cup, Rovers players gain invaluable experience competing against the best young talent in the world, including this year’s confirmed participants such as AC Milan, Benfica, Galatasaray, and FC Dallas. 

Following their participation in the Madewis Cup last year, the Rovers academy programme saw the U11 and U12 selections spend the current 2023/24 season competing in the U13 National League in Seychelles, playing against players one to two years their senior. This strategic decision was taken to provide them with stiffer competition and ensure they are more prepared to compete against the world’s best.

As the final preparation for the Madewis Cup the two teams will have a week-long intensive training camp in France. This crucial pre-tournament phase will see them training and playing test matches alongside Olympique de Marseille and other top regional clubs and academies. 

This continued exposure to high-level international football is paramount for the young Seychellois players as they once again represent Rovers and their nation on the world stage.

For more information about the Rovers academy programme and the Madewis Cup, please contact academy@roversfc.sc or (+248) 2591018.

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Rovers FC assistant coach Reza Henry Udwadia knows a thing or two about nurturing talent. After a stint with the club in 2021/22, he embarked on a journey through various European and Middle Eastern academies, honing his skills and acquiring his UEFA B license. Now back at Rovers, coach Udwadia’s passion for development is evident. As the Seychelles leagues take a breather for Christmas, we sat down with him to explore the club’s unique philosophy and what sets them apart in the local football landscape.

Seysoccer: Six Rovers players, all very young and from a second-division club, representing Seychelles against powerhouses like Ivory Coast and Kenya in the recent World Cup qualifiers – what’s behind this remarkable feat?

Reza Udwadia: I wouldn’t call it magic, but it certainly reflects the dedication and talent brewing within Rovers. While the national team selection surprised some, it’s a testament to the unique training and development environment we’ve nurtured here.

Seysoccer: Unique? Can you elaborate on what sets Rovers apart from other clubs, especially those in the top tier?

Reza Udwadia: At Rovers, we believe in nurturing potential, regardless of age, and investing heavily in local player development. Everything about our club is focused on developing and improving our players and helping them achieve their maximum. We do this by making sure they have access to qualified coaches, good training facilities, quality equipment and access to modern technologies like video and GPS trackers. 

Seysoccer: We have seen this season that you have played with a very young squad. What challenges does that bring?

Reza Udwadia: At Rovers we believe if you are good enough you are old enough. And if you are putting in the hard work and effort then you will get the chance you deserve. The average age of our first team squad in the league this season has been around 22 years old and we have 16 year olds regularly making appearances for us. This playing time helps young players develop quicker and is definitely one of the reasons why they are attractive options for national team selection, now and for the future. Of course we also have youth teams in every age category so some of the youngsters are not only playing first team football but also in their appropriate age category. The more minutes they can get the better and the quicker they can gain that on-field experience to help them to mature.

Seysoccer: The use of technology seems to be behind in local football. Can you tell us more about the benefits of what you are doing with video and the GPS trackers?

Reza Udwadia: We heard recently from the national team head coach, Mr. Ralph Jean-Louis, about their targets for how many kilometres they needed to run during their international matches. This put some spotlight on the physical part of the modern game of football. I assume coach Jean-Louis was looking to bring our national team in line with averages produced by players at the highest level. The GPS trackers are vests worn by our players which can measure this in matches but also in training. Distance covered is one of the metrics but there are other important ones such as the number and distance of sprints made in the match. We have been using these vests domestically to track our player’s physical progress and help them to reach those of international players but also to be able to manage their training load and prevent injuries.

The video part is equally important as we film all of our matches be it in the league, cup, friendlies, youth level; all! These videos allow our coaches to analyse and review both the team tactically and players individually. We then use this information to help the players adjust and improve where they need to. Our players also have access to this video and will do their self-reflections on their performance after matches. Video analysis is such an important part of the modern game and can really accelerate development both of players and coaches. On the other hand it also gives our players a library of their matches which can be very useful for attracting potential scouts and trials internationally. Video of matches is a must for any serious international club to accept a player on a trial. Our players have the benefit of having access to that.

Seysoccer: The video camera you use seems to not require a person to operate it. How does it work?

Reza Udwadia: The camera we have is specially made for football. It is able to work autonomously and follow the ball around the pitch by itself. It also automatically measures important match data like possession, shots on goal, passes completed and corners. It also automatically makes highlights of every individual statistic so you are really able to drill down and watch what you are interested in. It’s a really powerful tool for both the coaches and the players. 

Seysoccer: You mentioned preparing young players for potential international trials. Tell us more about that.

Reza Udwadia: We would love nothing more than to see players from our club make it as professional footballers overseas. We have been working hard to establish links with clubs overseas to open these doors for our players. Most importantly they ask us to provide them with match videos and physical data of the players. This is possible because of our camera and GPS trackers. No serious club or scout will entertain players without receiving these two things. We are lucky to have these technologies at Rovers and our players can benefit from them. Ultimately the decision for who makes it and who doesn’t lies with the foreign clubs but we strive to prepare our players in the best possible way so they stand a chance. The environment and all the conditions are there at Rovers for the players to take advantage of and in the end it’s really how hard they are willing to work and how dedicated they are willing to be. We really hope to see them make it one day.

Seysoccer: We have heard concerns in the past that our local players cannot compete with their international colleagues because they are amateurs with jobs away from football which limit their footballing time. How can we counteract that?

Reza Udwadia: Ultimately we should be looking to elevate the local leagues to a higher standard which helps us to professionalise the game. That will take a huge effort from the whole football family to achieve. As for Rovers as a club, we have been trying to set a training environment which is similar to that of a professional club or academy overseas. We have introduced morning training sessions as well as gym access for all of our players. The morning sessions are set in a way to allow even those at work and school to attend. This almost doubles the training time for our players and results in them developing faster like those abroad. The gym sessions we provide let our players develop their strength and conditioning which is often neglected in our local football but no professional player can go without it. These are some of the things our club does to try and bridge the gap between us and those overseas. The environment we made at Rovers is there for those players that want to take football seriously and they just need to apply themselves to reap the benefits. 

Seysoccer: There was criticism by some recently regarding too much focus on the physical aspect of the game and that more emphasis needs to be put on the technical and tactical side. What are your thoughts?

Reza Udwadia: All of these elements are very important. We should be looking to improve all 3 of those areas. Technical ability is something we work heavily on in our youth academy. It is the foundation which helps you to be able to achieve higher tactical output on the field. It allows you to play more complex systems and perform more complex patterns on the pitch. The physical side is equally important as the demands and speed of the game have increased so much over the years. I already mentioned what Rovers is doing with GPS vests and gym access for our players to aid with this but we also make sure to educate our players on taking care of their bodies as athletes, specifically about nutrition and supplements. It’s important they understand the importance of what their body needs before training and matches and what it needs after for recovery. Our players have access to supplement gels for all of their matches both during warm up and at half time – just like you would see in professional leagues abroad.

Seysoccer: Thank you for sharing the time with us and we hope you have success in the second round of the season with your young and exciting team.

Reza Udwadia: Thank you. The second round will be very important for us to improve our league position and keep developing our local players to help our national team!

Source: seysoccer.com

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The Rovers Under-10 team is set to compete in the Super Final of the Madewis Cup, a prestigious football tournament in France that brings together more than 12,000 amateur players aged 6 to 13. The tournament will be held from the 1st to the 4th of June in Bastia, Corsica, and will see the young Rovers players compete against some of the best young teams in Europe, including Olympique Lyonnais, FC Metz, AC Ajaccio, Benfica, FC Nantes, Olympique de Marseille and S.C Bastia.

The Under-10 team is made up of talented young Seychellois players selected from schools around the country based on their technical footballing ability. Over the last year, the team has been training intensively, three to four times a week, under the supervision of head coach Rupert Pool and the academy director Lucas Panayi.

The trip has been made possible with the assistance of generous sponsors, as the allocated budget for this year’s tournament was unexpectedly cancelled by the Seychelles Football Federation. “As our key sponsor, Absa Bank Seychelles has continued to provide significant support and this has made such trips possible for our young players,” said Lucas Panayi, director of the Rovers academy. “Others have also stepped forward to help including Hunt Deltel, Eden Island Marina, 7 South, Boat House, Spar, Surfline, Panafricare, Bodco, and Dr. Magdalena Baska, and we are grateful for their assistance and generosity.”

Playing in the Super Final of the Madewis Cup will provide a valuable opportunity for the young Rovers players to showcase their skills and compete at a high level. Head coach Rupert Pool expressed his excitement for the challenge, stating, “It will be a huge challenge but one the players have been working hard to prepare for. We are excited to see how they will perform but most importantly we are excited to provide them with this opportunity and valuable experience for their continued football development.”

The delegation will depart Seychelles for France on the 29th of May and spend a few days in a training camp in Marseille before the tournament begins. Upon the completion of the tournament, the team will spend a day in the famous academy of Zinedine Zidane where they will train and play together with their French counterparts before returning to Seychelles on the 8th of June.

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Currently the head coach of the SV Hoofddorp youth team in the Netherlands, but during the heights of the covid-19 pandemic, UEFA Licence B holder and Seychellois, Reza Udwadia returned to Seychelles to work together with  Rovers FC. 

Having previously worked with various teams in the Netherlands and England, Reza has shared with his experiences working Rovers, the second local team he has worked with, after a spell with Victoria City back in 2015. 

How would you describe your time working with Rovers? 

Overall, my time with Rovers FC was good. Myself and the Club were able to benefit from our collaboration which meant we both had a common drive and goal to achieve by working together. 

We spent a lot of time on the field in training working on tactical themes and scenarios. The President , Technical Director and Head Coach Juel Ah-Kong expressed which areas of the game they felt the team needed prioritising, and then I took responsibility to prepare training sessions which would tackle those areas, running through various scenarios that could occur in games and the appropriate solutions. 

The squad of players were fantastic as well. A mix of Senior experienced players who have played many years with First and Second Division Clubs coupled by Youth players who are striving to make a name for themselves in Seychelles football. So, they were a good group to work with. 

The Club staff were brilliant as well. They  were very welcoming of myself to the Club for the short period of time I was there, assigning me responsibility to steer the coaching and training department of the Club for the period I was there. Having that responsibility allowed me to apply my best practices and leadership skills therefore I fully appreciate their trust in me. 

Do you feel the ambitions of the Club are realistic when you look at the state of Seychelles football? 

Specifically speaking about the Club on its own I would say yes. I believe that the Club has good guidance at the helm to be able to steer itself in the right direction and become the first official professional football Club in Seychelles, as there are many requirements and boxes to tick off the list in order to be classified as a professional club. And from what I see at the moment I believe the Club is on track. Also, Rovers are doing a great job in their player development through the use of Catapult PlayerTek GPS vests to modernise their development of players. 

However, Rovers as a football Club can only achieve so much on its own. The governing body of football in Seychelles, the Seychelles Football Federation, needs to raise their game to provide an environment in which local football Clubs can develop. An example of improving the environment would be the current state of facilities we have. They have done a good job in renovating the Astro Turf field at Roche Caiman which is a good start. Now they should crack on to improve the state of football in other areas, such as focusing on Youth development, Coach development and providing Coaches with modern equipment to train players.

Do you see the potential for players to make a name for themselves in the higher division?

First of all, I see the potential for Rovers as a Club and the squad of players they currently have capable of making a name for themselves in the First division. In order to do that they must first make a name for themselves in the Second Division and at this moment of time I can say with confidence that they are. 

The First team has a mix of players who have played for 10+ years in the different divisions over the years complemented with vibrant Youth coming from the B team of the Club. In order for players to showcase their talent and make a name for themselves they must do it during competitive games for Rovers where their ability can be showcased along with the contributions they can bring to Rovers going forwards. 

What contributions did you bring to the club?

In training for the first week, we focused on technical sessions to improve the simple actions such as passing, receiving, dribbling and finishing. For the following weeks myself and the Club staff decided on different tactical themes to focus on. . So  we worked rigorously in training to ensure all of the players involved understood their roles and executed the tactics correctly. Looking back on it now, I can say that there are certainly intelligent players within Rovers as the way in which some of them took to understanding the movements involved was impressive. 

Most of the tactical work required players who are comfortable on the ball under pressure and possess good technical ability to pass to supporting team-mates. Fortunately, there are a few players like that at the Club who can execute that system of play. 

There was also the opportunity for me to manage the first game back after the COVID-19 pause. 

Additionally, a few fun and games were implemented in training to develop team bonding amongst the players so their chemistry would improve therefore bettering the performance of the team as a whole.

From my professional approach to everything I always made sure to have respect for everyone, talk to the players about their life away from football so as to get to know them as people and not just players, know my training sessions inside out so as to keep professionalism and above all remain enthusiastic.

Enthusiasm coupled by a smile on the face is infectious energy that can spread positively to everyone around. It was certainly challenging because on my off days, which we all have from time to time, it was important to keep the enthusiasm flowing because once the players catch onto negative energy it will spread like wildfire through the team so it was important to steady that ship as best and cautiously as possible. 

As a whole group we had a lot of fun. I look back on my short time at the Club with a smile on my face.

Do you feel the players have been receptive to your approaches and what do you feel the Club needs to do to keep improving?

Well looking back now from a concluded point of view I would personally sway on the side of saying that yes, the players were receptive to my approach to help them develop as individuals and a team. For each individual their receptiveness to the approach would have been different. For most of the group it was a positive response but also, I have to be realistic and say that my approach is not tailored for everyone therefore a few players may have received my approach in a negative manner. That is part of football and the managing side of the game. One important phrase I told the players was ‘allow us as coaches and Club staff to captain and steady your ship’. 

It was pleasing to see the players take on board the tactical information we worked on in training so as to develop the team playing system. After all, when it comes to playing the game, it is 11 players at any one time of the whole squad which have to perform. Therefore, to be intelligent and soak up new information and then apply it was brilliant to see. What was also interesting and important to see was what the players knew already beforehand so as to check what their intelligence level of the game is and how it could be applied to new ideas that were brought forth. 

Going forwards the Club has hard-working staff who are always ensuring they do their best to maintain high standards of performance in training and good management of the players. I am aware of the efforts being made behind-the-scenes therefore they are on good track.

From a distance being back in the Netherlands where I am currently at, I remain available to Rovers on a consultancy basis. Therefore, if they require any tips or advice, I can be in reach to offer my opinions and advice. I do not involve myself with day-to-day management or coaching of the team now that I am abroad as that is the responsibility of the Club staff which are on the field day-in-and-day-out with the squad of players. 

Will you look to work with the team again in the future?

Provided that when I return back home to Seychelles for three weeks or more at any one time then yes it would be amazing to link up with the Club again. We left on a good note therefore any future collaboration between myself and the Club is certainly welcomed. 

What’s next for you now on a personal note?

Well at this moment of time I am currently with my Club in the Netherlands SV Hoofddorp. I train the Under 18s Saturday Selection First team along with another Head Coach. We are currently challenging for promotion to a higher division. I have my ambitions for the future lined up therefore I am doing my best to strive to achieve them. 

In July and August, I will be going to the USA with Ajax as part of the Ajax Camps & Clinics programme to train players in the States using the Ajax player development philosophy. It has always been an ambition of mine to travel and teach football so I am delighted that my first visit to the USA will be teaching football with the crest of a world class football Club such as Ajax Amsterdam on my jersey. 

In terms of education and licences right now I am satisfied with what I have. Of course, the UEFA A licence will be on the cards in the future however with my University background, UEFA B licence and 8 years coaching/managing experience in three different countries I feel it is good for the moment to make progress in my chosen career pathway.

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Rovers have bolstered their squad with experience once more, this time with the arrival of goalkeeper Randolph Bijoux, who linked up with the squad close to a month ago.

We sat down to talk with him about how his signing came about and what his experience can bring to the team.

Tell us about you?

My name is Randolph Bijoux. I am 38 years old and have 2 kids. Football has always been my passion and I have been playing since I was a young boy.

How does it feel to be a part of the Rovers team?

It’s really good and I am enjoying it. The team is very organised and has good plans for the future. 

What made you decide to join Rovers?

It had been some time now since I have “retired” from football. But I missed it and when I was approached by Rovers I decided to go for it.

As a goalkeeper with plenty of experience, what are you hoping to bring to the team?

I want to bring my experience and help the team bolster their defence.

Does the playing style of Rovers suit you?

Yes it does. I already knew some of the players from before and was familiar with their playing style and techniques so it was quite easy to adapt to the team.

Having recently joined the team, how do you feel about the training approach as well as the team’s ambition as a whole?

So far so good but as we are aiming to bring the team to the Premier League we must always be looking to improve individually and collectively. 

Outside of football you have a pretty demanding job, so how are you balancing that and football?

Good question. It’s not easy and it takes a lot of time and dedication. When it comes to football its hard to compromise… football is my passion.

What do you hope to achieve with the team this season?

The aim is to fight for the title and win promotion to the Premier League. Also personally, through my experience, I am hoping to further develop the skills of the younger players at the Club.

What is it going to take for the team to reach its target of promotion this season?

A lot of hard word, devotion and focus from both the players and the management.

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