Exciting times for Football SA as 48 players across three teams, one U14 and two U16, competed against teams from across Asia and the Pacific from the 6th to 8th of November in the 2025 Singa Cup.
Our squads feature talented players from both metropolitan and regional areas, showcasing the strength and depth of girls’ football across the state.
Singa Cup is Asia's premier international youth football tournament. Since the inaugural edition in 2011, Singa Cup has grown from strength to strength as the marquee non-football association organised as an international youth football tournament in Asia.
Owen Gallas Community Programs Coordinator at Football South Australia, had this to say about the 2025 Singa Cup experience.
"The Singa Cup provided an incredible opportunity for Football South Australia’s players and staff to grow through exposure to international football and new challenges both on and off the pitch.
Players had the chance to test themselves against strong opposition, including fixtures against high-quality international sides such as Lion City Sailors. These matches offered valuable insight into the speed, technical ability, and discipline that set a new benchmark for us as a group.
Beyond football itself, the tournament presented unique challenges which the players haven’t faced before. Particularly adapting to Singapore’s hot and humid climate. The togetherness within the group, combined with the professionalism and care of the staff, played a vital role in helping everyone manage the conditions and look after one another throughout the week. This allowed them to perform at their best.
With multiple games in a short time span, players were required to adapt quickly, recover efficiently, and apply learning from one match to the next. This quick succession of matches accelerated their development, improving their decision-making, resilience, and ability to perform under fatigue while most importantly gaining valuable match experience.
It was also rewarding to see the players’ confidence grow as the tournament progressed, stepping up against tough opposition, supporting teammates, and showing improvement with every game.
For the staff, the Singa Cup was equally valuable. Coaching and support personnel were exposed to different playing styles, tactical approaches throughout the Singa Cup providing fresh insights that can be brought back.
Overall, the experience in Singapore was not only about competing but about learning, adapting, and developing together both as players and as people".
Alexia Scalzi who traveled with the squads to Singapore, had this to say about the Singa Cup competition.
"Our trip to Singapore was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Playing against a variety of talented teams in a completely different country challenged us, broadened our perspective, and helped the girls grow both on and off the field. Being immersed in a new environment, its culture, competition and atmosphere, made the journey even more memorable. It was truly an all-round experience that will be carried forever".
The 2025 Singa Cup was a valuable and memorable experience, helping Football SA’s young players grow on and off the field while showcasing the strength of girls’ football in South Australia. The lessons learned and confidence gained will continue to inspire their development long after the tournament.