Since 2005, Happy Football Cambodia Australia (HFCA) has been empowering disadvantaged youth in Cambodia through football, helping them gain access to quality training, teamwork and development opportunities.
Over the years, HFCA’s programs have promoted well-being, mental health and self-respect, while importantly providing pathways for youth to develop life skills for success in education and employment.
To mark its achievements, HFCA and its partners are hosting a 20th anniversary celebration at the Morodok Techo National Stadium on November 16, to showcase two decades of community impact.
During the 20-year journey, HFCA founder Paraic Grogan teamed up with Scott Neeson, founder of the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF), to offer football training and playing opportunities for CCF children.
HFCA has also partnered with the Build Your Future Today (BFT) organisation to provide football programmes for underprivileged children in Siem Reap province.
Children showing strong potential have been selected by HFCA coaches for advanced training and have represented Cambodia in international tournaments, most notably the Homeless World Cup, giving them life-changing experiences and a chance to see the wider world.
“This is a truly remarkable moment for HFCA as we celebrate 20 years of serving communities in Cambodia. We are excited to look ahead to the future as we continue to grow and expand our programs across the country,” said Grogan.
“HFCA is an amazing organisation because it gives young people who are often overlooked a sense of self-respect, competition and teamwork. In terms of social return on investment, this is one of the best initiatives in Cambodia,” added Neeson.
One participant, Mov Pisa, from Prey Veng province, shared her personal story of transformation. Once a waste picker at Phnom Penh’s Stung Meanchey landfill, she gained access to education through CCF and also began training and playing football with HFCA. This opportunity allowed her to turn her life around — from scavenging for food on a garbage dump to becoming a university graduate with a stable job and income.
“Back then, life was really hard! I didn’t know what school was, and I couldn’t imagine what the world outside looked like. My only role was to stay home or go to the dump with my parents to collect garbage. We didn’t have enough food — sometimes we’d eat leftover fruit or discarded food from the dump. I only got the chance to study because I met Scott,” she told an October 7 press conference.
“I’m so thankful to Scott for creating the foundation that helps so many poor Khmer children, including me and my family. Without Scott, I wouldn’t have been able to play football with HFCA, finish my studies or get a good job — I’d probably still be living on the garbage dump,” she added.
She reflected on her experience with HFCA, sharing how she trained hard and dreamed of becoming a national representative.
“My goal was to become a player on the national women’s football team because I love football and believe women can do it, too. HFCA really focuses on football skill development. Eventually, I stopped training to continue my studies at university,” she explained.
Pisa expressed pride in her former teammates, many of whom have gone on to play for local clubs or become coaches with HFCA, training the next generation of disadvantaged children and helping them move toward personal growth and success.
Chan Rotha, a member of HFCA’s Board of Directors, said he was honoured to volunteer his time to support the organization.
“HFCA doesn’t just teach children how to play football. They use the sport to create something far more important — confidence, self-respect and the belief that a team can achieve anything together. That’s at the heart of what HFCA does,” he explained.
Rotha has pledged to raise $3,000 to support the anniversary celebration, which will run from 8am to 12 noon on Sunday, November 16 at the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
A total of 80 youth players — 40 girls and 40 boys — will participate, including 40 from the CCF and 40 from BFT, in Battambang. The event will feature a youth football match organized by CJ Coaching, an HFCA partner, followed by a special “VIP 11 vs 11” match involving former and current HFCA players, partner representatives and special guests.
HFCA board members Scott Neeson, Reth Sarita, Chan Rotha and Keo Kounila will join the game, alongside other dignitaries.
Conor Nestor, the Irish head coach of Boeung Ket FC, also praised HFCA’s work.
“I’m delighted to collaborate with HFCA, which has done an incredible job over the past 20 years. I truly believe this is vital work — HFCA is giving hope and transforming lives for children and young people who will continue to benefit from its programmes for the next 10 to 20 years,” he noted.
