The footballing journey of Singapore Girls’ Under-16 centre-back Tyan Foong could have easily taken a very different trajectory – if not for the influence of two other Foong girls.
Born into a family home where the sport was already a familiar presence, it seemed almost inevitable that Tyan would follow in the footsteps of her two elder sisters. But for the 10-year-old Haig Girls’ School student who was picking her first co-curricular activity (CCA) in 2019, football was not exactly a first choice.
“Back then, I was really interested in badminton and bowling rather than football,” explained 16-year-old Tyan. “But my eldest sister, Tasha, forced me into picking football as my CCA. Since my two older sisters were already playing the sport, I decided to give it a shot – mainly because of convenience.”
That convenient decision, however, sparked the beginning of a deep love for the sport. Tyan was provided with plenty of competitive opportunities to represent her school at a young age, with one of her fondest memories being crowned champions of an inter-school futsal tournament when she was in Primary 4.
As Tyan’s passion for football grew, her eldest sister introduced her to LFA Protectors – the previous iteration of the now-rebranded Lion City Sailors Girls Academy. It was there that her footballing career took off.
As she rose through the ranks, Tyan’s performances for the youth side caught the eye of Sailors’ Women’s senior squad Head Coach Daniel Ong, who promoted her to the first team for the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign.
“Football was a sport that I enjoyed, and I looked forward to training, but it was only after I got pushed up from the Academy that I decided to take things seriously and set out to improve myself,” recalled the Tanjong Katong Girls’ School student.
The rigours of senior women’s football initially proved to be daunting for young Tyan, who was very comfortable with the people who once surrounded her at the Academy. Still, it was a challenge that she embraced with open arms.
“Making the step-up to the WPL was a huge jump for me, I had to step out of my comfort zone into a high-pressure environment,” she recalled. “Thankfully, my second sister Tia, was already in the team, and together with a few other friends who were promoted alongside me – it made the transition much easier.”
Her first spell with the senior side saw the Sailors crowned WPL champions for the third year running. Despite her on-field successes, Tyan remained grounded and credited much of her growth to the unwavering support from her family.
“My family has been the biggest supporters in my football journey , even if they initially wanted to put me and my sisters into a more demure sport,” said Tyan, before breaking out in laughter.
“They’ve been coming down for almost all my competitions since primary school, and I still remember how they sat through all six hours of my futsal tournament in Primary 4. They always made sure they were there for me no matter what.”
The upcoming Lion City Cup will mark a milestone for the Foong family. They will be able to witness Tyan lead her team out onto the Jalan Besar Stadium pitch with the captain’s armband wrapped around her left bicep.
“It’s going to be a big honour for me,” explained the now Secondary 4 student. “Having my parents and siblings – people who have been with me since the very beginning – watching from the stands will make this a special moment for me. I’m motivated to give my best, not just for myself, but for everyone who has stood behind and supported me.”
Tyan admitted that she did not expect to take on the captaincy as every member of the squad had been proactively contributing feedback to one another. Nonetheless, it was an opportunity she is grateful for.
No stranger to pressure, her experiences as an avid wakeboarder and captain of the Tanjong Katong Girls’ School’s softball team have honed her leadership qualities.
As someone who does not shy away from speaking her mind, Tyan is determined to use her strong communication skills to lead the team.
“It’s a big stage, and with Singapore football fans coming down, the pressure will inevitably be high. As the captain, I need to be composed to spread confidence throughout the team,” she said.
“Even with the expectations placed on me, my focus will still be on what is ahead and the targets the coaches have set for us.”
The U16 girls are led by Head Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan, with whom Tyan has previously worked with at the Sailors.
“I remember Coach Yeong’s training sessions to be very intense and target-driven, which helps give everybody a clear idea of what to work on,” said Tyan.
“She has not changed her training style at all, and it’s something that I enjoy very much. I know that I have something to improve on in each training session.”
Preparations for the tournament are already in full swing as the team gears up for their opening match against Korea Republic next Tuesday (8 July). Despite the short runway, Tyan noted that there have already been noticeable improvements within the squad.
“Everyone came in as individuals at the start, but we’ve grown a lot collectively over the past one and a half weeks of training,” she explained. “We’ve been working on our defensive shape, and each of us is very clear about our roles on the pitch.”
“The squad is very interconnected. There is a positive environment where everyone is very open to feedback from the coaches. We rely a lot on one another, and this team spirit will give us an edge in the upcoming tournament.”
The U16s are set to be Singapore’s first female side to compete in the Lion City Cup since its 1977 inception, and Tyan urged her teammates to use this opportunity as a platform to inspire future generations.
“Even in a male-dominated sport, we want to show that girls can play football too – and that the opportunities are there,” said Tyan. “I hope our Lion City Cup campaign will prove that no dream is too small, and that young girls will feel inspired to take that next step in their football journey.”
“We will be going into each game with our 101 percent and the mindset of leaving everything on the field. Whatever happens, we’ll learn from it and make sure we leave the pitch with no regrets.”
