Championing local football: AIA holds football tryouts to help propel Filipino talent to global stage

MANILA, Philippines — AIA Philippines (formerly Philam Life) has always been a steadfast advocate of healthy living. Through the years, the company has embodied this commitment through its AIA Vitality program, and by championing activities that promote total wellness, such as webinars on mental wellness and healthy eating, fitness checks and nutrition consultations, and sponsorship of various sports activities. 

With AIA Group, AIA Philippines’ Hong Kong based parent company, being a principal partner of the English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspurs, the Company sought to create its own mark in the local football community, becoming the title sponsor for the AIA 7s Football League, and now the AIA 7s Super League.

"Team sports such as football are a great way to promote wellness, and bring to life our Purpose of helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. Apart from the physical benefits of engaging in the sport, it brings people together in a community, thus supporting mental and community health as well,” said Melissa Henson, AIA Philippines, chief marketing officer. “By bringing football to more communities across the country, we hope to reach more Filipinos and help them improve their health and overall well-being.”

This year, the company took its support for the local football community to another level, and gave enthusiasts an opportunity to join the team representing AIA Philippines in AIA Champs, the intermarket annual tournament hosted by AIA. Here, teams representing various AIA markets from across Asia will compete against each other in a friendly tournament to be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Grounds in London.

Last April, aspiring footballers from the AIA Philippines team, AIA customers, and the general public gathered at Atleta63 Football Field in Pasig City to show their football prowess at the tryouts, for the chance to be chosen as one of the seven male and seven female players to fly to London in May as part of team AIA Philippines. 

From over 80 hopefuls who were given a chance to try out, the number was trimmed down to the ten best players from the general public, and joined the top four employees who passed the