SportCares HEARTS Football League 2025 Extends Reach to More Youth Segments

• SportCares HEARTS Football League 2025 attracted more participants from tertiary institutions and individuals with special needs - creating opportunities for youths from all walks of life to forge friendships

• A total of 22 teams competed across three categories, including 17 teams comprising over 400 youths from SportCares’ Saturday Night Lights (SNL) programme, and five teams from tertiary institutions and community partners, enriching the League’s inclusiveness and broadening its reach.

The SportCares HEARTS Football League 2025 finale concludes with a memorable gathering of all participants and volunteers. (Photo Credit: SportCares)

Singapore, 12 October 2025 – The fourth edition of the SportCares HEARTS Football League 2025 concluded yesterday evening at Serangoon Stadium with teams from Serangoon Samba, Broadwick and District West Girls United raising the trophy as champions of the League. The event brought together more than 500 participants and supporters – including the competing youths, their families, and community partners – underscoring the League’s role in fostering connection, inclusion, and resilience while empowering youths through sport. 

Organised by SportCares, the philanthropic arm of Sport Singapore (SportSG), this year’s edition of the SportCares HEARTS Football League featured 22 teams across three categories – Men’s Division 1, Men’s Division 2, and Women’s Open. The League also saw greater participation from tertiary institutions, with the team from Republic Polytechnic joining for the first time, alongside those from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, and long-standing partners such as Special Olympics Singapore (SOSG) and the Singapore Cricket Club. Alongside 17 teams comprising 400 youths from SportCares’ flagship sport-based youth development programme – Saturday Night Lights (SNL), the event exemplified how sport can create meaningful opportunities for vulnerable youths to connect with peers from the wider community.

The growing diversity of teams not only strengthened the spirit of inclusion but also gave the SNL youths and athletes with special needs the opportunity to interact with peers from different social and educational backgrounds, enriching the competition and reinforcing the League’s mission to unite communities through football. Through teamwork and shared experiences on the field, participants develop important values that build character beyond sport, such as perseverance, respect and empathy.

The SportCares HEARTS Football League Finale was attended by Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Minister of State for Education. This year’s League featured a round-robin format, followed by semi-finals and finals to determine the final standings in each division^[1]. The Men’s teams were also grouped according to skill level to ensure a more balanced and competitive experience, promoting fair play and supporting positive development for all participants^[2].

Mr Marcus Tan, Chief of Sport Development Group, SportSG, said, "When we launched the SportCares HEARTS Football League in 2022, our goal was to provide youths with a platform to challenge themselves, build confidence, and develop key life skills through football. This year, with the inclusion of more invited teams from tertiary institutions and community partners, the League also provides an inclusive platform for vulnerable youths from SportCares’ SNL programme and athletes with special needs from SOSG to compete regularly and engage meaningfully with the wider community. It is truly encouraging to see the dedication of our youth on the pitch, while also forming meaningful connections with others. Their perseverance and growth on and off the field reflect the spirit of the League."

Mr Lam Chee Weng, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Pools, said, “Singapore Pools is proud to stand with SportCares to harness the power of sport to uplift lives and build stronger communities. The SportCares HEARTS Football League is more than just football – it is about teamwork, resilience, and giving every child the opportunity to grow in confidence and character. We are heartened to see how the league has brought together communities, creating a lasting impact that goes beyond the pitch.”

“I’m so happy we finally won the League! This is my third time participating in the competition, and the first time we won first place. We really had fun training together and encouraging each other when we play,” said Golden Glove Award Recipient, Dharshini Sarah D/O Siva Kumar, 20, from District West Girls United, who came in 1st in the Women’s Open category. “When I first joined SNL, I was a really quiet person and afraid of talking to people, but I’m so grateful to Coach Cynthia and my teammates who helped me build confidence in the process.” 

The full list of the 22 participating teams of the SportCares HEARTS Football League 2025 can be found in Annex A, and the list of award winners and the champions of each category can be found under Annex B. For more information on Saturday Night Lights, please visit: https://sportcares.sportsingapore.gov.sg/programmes/youth/snl/.

[1] For Men’s division, the League featured Plate and Cup semi-finals and finals, where the top four teams in each division advancing to the Cup semi-finals, while the next four competed in the Plate semi-finals — a secondary bracket that allowed teams to continue playing to determine their 4^th to 8^th placings.

[2] Men’s Division 1 features a higher level of skill and competition than Division 2.

Annex A - SportCares HEARTS Football League 2025 Participating Teams

Annex B - SportCares HEARTS Football League 2025 Results and Award Winners