Inside Pototan FC’s grassroots journey of heart, pride, and purpose
In a quiet town in Iloilo where afternoons stretch long, and barefoot dreams often begin on dusty streets, a movement is taking shape. It does not announce itself with grand stadiums or roaring crowds. It starts with whistles, laughter, tired legs, and hearts that refuse to quit. This is Juventud Pototan Football Club — Pototan FC to the community that now proudly calls it their own.
Founded on June 20, 2025, Pototan FC was born from a simple but powerful truth: talent lives everywhere, but opportunity does not. For many young people in Pototan, football was already a language they spoke fluently — yet there were no classrooms, no teachers, no pathways to help them grow. Daisy Pedroso and Noel Casilao saw this gap not as a problem, but as a calling.
And so they built a home for footballers who needed structure, belief, and a place to belong.
A Name That Carries a Promise
“Juventud,” the Spanish word for youth, speaks to energy, courage, and unfinished stories. “Pototan” anchors the club to its roots — to the streets, schools, and families that raised these young players. Together, the name becomes a vow: to invest in the youth of Pototan, and to let football shape not just players, but people.
This is not a club chasing shortcuts or trophies at all costs. This is a club shaping character — where pride is earned through effort, and victories are measured in growth as much as goals.
Built by the Community, for the Community
Long before official recognition, Pototan FC was already alive. Coaches ran free clinics. Volunteers knocked on school and barangay doors. Open tryouts welcomed anyone brave enough to show up. Trust was built one session at a time.
That trust was affirmed on July 2, 2025, when the Local Government of Pototan formally recognized the club — an acknowledgment of football’s growing role as a force for unity and youth development. It was a signal that this wasn’t just a team. It was a shared mission.
Developing Players at Every Stage
Pototan FC opens its doors to three key age groups:
- Ages 7–10 – where joy, curiosity, and love for the ball come first
- Ages 11–13 – where fundamentals meet discipline
- Ages 14–16 – where identity, responsibility, and competitive mindset are formed
Training runs three to four times a week, turning consistency into confidence and routine into resilience.
Guided by Teachers, Not Just Coaches
At the helm are Head Coach Jerrah John Paracha Samson and Assistant Coach Zymone Sebanta, both holders of the PFF “D” License—coaches who understand that grassroots football is not about shouting instructions, but about teaching lessons that last.
Beyond regular training, the club expands its reach through:
- Girls’ and women’s football
- Goalkeeper development
- Futsal programs
- School and community outreach
Inclusivity isn’t an add-on here. It’s the foundation.
A Philosophy That Builds Life Skills
At Pototan FC, football is the tool—but character is the goal.
Sessions balance:
- Technical mastery (control, passing, finishing)
- Tactical awareness (space, movement, teamwork)
- Values formation (discipline, respect, accountability)
Training is demanding, but joyful. Competitive, but compassionate. Young players learn early that effort matters, teammates matter, and how you play the game matters.
Learning to Compete, Learning to Dream
Despite being a young club, Pototan FC has already stepped onto bigger stages. The Under-8 teams proudly represented the town in Iloilo–Guimaras Regional Football Association (IGRFA) 5v5 competitions, showing courage beyond their years.
The club has also achieved a rare milestone for a grassroots academy—hosting a PFF “D” License coaching course, a clear sign that Pototan FC is not just growing players, but strengthening the entire football ecosystem.
Runner-up finishes, regional exposure, and rising enrollment tell one story. But the louder story is this: children walking taller, speaking with confidence, and believing that their dreams are valid.
Football as a Shield, Football as a Bridge
For many families, Pototan FC is more than a training ground. It is a safe space. A place where children stay active, learn responsibility, and discover leadership. Parents become partners. Schools open their grounds. The local government lends its support.
Football becomes the bridge—connecting youth to purpose, discipline, and hope.
Eyes on the Future
The next three years are clear:
- Grow the player base
- Improve facilities and equipment
- Enter higher-level competitions
- Continue forming disciplined, values-driven footballers
Challenges remain—funding, facilities, access to more coaches—but Pototan FC meets these challenges the same way it meets every match: together, with heart, and with pride.
A Message to the Youth
To every young footballer in Pototan and beyond:
Work hard. Respect the game. Respect your teammates. Believe in the process.
Football will teach you how to win—but more importantly, it will teach you how to stand back up.
OneFootball Salute
OneFootball proudly salutes Juventud Pototan Football Club for proving that grassroots football does not need grand stages to create a grand impact. In its earliest days, the club had already become a beacon of hope—showing what is possible when community, purpose, and passion move in the same direction.
This New Year, Pototan FC reminds the Filipino football community of a powerful truth:
the future of Philippine football is already playing—on small fields, in small towns, with very big dreams.
📣 Join or Support Juventud Pototan Football Club
Whether you’re a young dreamer, a parent seeking the right environment, or a supporter of grassroots football:
📱 Contact Person: Daisy B. Pedroso
📞 Mobile: 0909 879 8001
📧 Email: juventudpototanfootballclub@gmail.com
Together, let’s keep the ball rolling—playing with heart, winning with pride, and building the future of Filipino football. ⚽
