More than 30 children in Siem Reap province’s Oroong village take part in training with the HFCA, through a programme sponsored by Wing Bank. HFCA
Wing Bank has continued its partnership with Happy Football Cambodia Australia (HFCA) to support youth football programmes in Siem Reap province.
The collaboration has been described as a “shared commitment to empowering disadvantaged youth by providing them with the opportunity to engage in football activities”. The aim is to enhance their physical fitness, teamwork and personal development, all within a structured and supportive environment.
Paraic Grogan, founder of HFCA, explained that Wing Bank’s continued support is focused on the youth football programme in Oroong village, Siem Reap. This follows a successful first collaboration between Wing Bank and HFCA in November 2022, which supported the youth in Sras Srong village by creating a safe space for football activities.
Grogan emphasised the importance of the ongoing support of the financial institution, noting that it aims to strengthen community capabilities through football.
He stressed that the programme in Oroong village will provide children with the opportunity to participate in football training, develop life skills and benefit from mentorship, all of which will contribute to their growth both on and off the field.
“We are honoured to collaborate with Wing Bank, an institution with a long-standing commitment to supporting communities in Cambodia,” said Grogan.
“This support will bring about positive change among the youth in Oroong Village, offering them valuable opportunities to develop their abilities and thrive,” he added.
Bunthe Hor, deputy CEO of Wing Bank, said the partnership reflects Wing Bank’s unwavering commitment to social responsibility and aligns with HFCA’s mission of bringing about positive change through football. He further emphasised that the collaboration would provide a safe and supportive environment where both boys and girls can reach their potential and contribute to building stronger community unity.
Young players train in Siem Reap province’s Oroong village. HFCA
Hor believes that football is a powerful tool to foster physical fitness, community cohesion and a sense of unity. Through football, children not only improve their physical abilities but also learn important life lessons such as leadership, teamwork and resilience.
“We are truly excited to be part of this initiative with HFCA to help instil these values in the youth,” he said.
“We believe that our support for the football program in Oroong Village will have a lasting positive impact on these children, helping them become leaders who will drive development and improvement in their communities,” he added.
HFCA, which has been promoting football in Cambodia since 2005, aims to provide underprivileged Cambodian youth with access to high-quality football training.
This includes professional coaching and technical support to build teams and provide opportunities for youth to strengthen their skills, improve their well-being and develop self-respect. These values are essential for helping disadvantaged youth achieve success in the future.
Thirteen-year-old Hana Kong, a female football player from Oroong Village who currently trains with HFCA’s coaching team, expressed her gratitude.
“I really want to play football for the Cambodia national team, and I want to thank Wing Bank for supporting my dream,” she said.
This ongoing collaboration represents a significant step toward empowering youth and using sports to create meaningful social change in rural Cambodia.
