Kudus – Becoming a soccer player requires more than just technical skill or tactical acumen. When a match begins, the greatest challenge often stems from within. Managing nerves, the pressure to perform, and the resilience to recover from mistakes are essential lessons every young athlete must master.
This developmental process is central to the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026. Held at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus, Central Java, from July 5–12, 2026, the girls' soccer tournament provides more than just a venue for 16 U-15 and U-18 teams from across Indonesia. It serves as a learning environment where players cultivate discipline, build self-confidence, and prepare mentally for the challenges of competitive play.
The tournament’s atmosphere reflected this focus. As thousands of spectators packed the stands at the Supersoccer Arena—supported by a well-coordinated effort from local vendors, volunteers, and staff—the young players engaged in the unseen work of internal growth: regulating emotions, maintaining focus, and fostering self-belief.
For Herry Susilo, head coach of Putri JP Jakarta U-18, youth development extends beyond technical proficiency. He believes every tournament is a vital opportunity to shape players into disciplined, responsible individuals with high standards of sportsmanship, both on and off the field.
Susilo has observed significant personal growth among his athletes. They are learning the meaning of responsibility, respecting time constraints, and adhering to team agreements.
He emphasizes that mental preparedness is crucial for matchday success. Overcoming feelings of intimidation when facing well-known opponents is a priority. He consistently reinforces the message that the players are in Kudus not merely to compete, but to showcase the skills honed through their training.
This character-building approach extends to their daily routines. Players are encouraged to maintain punctuality, exhibit discipline outside of training sessions, and practice their religious obligations. These habits, Susilo notes, are instrumental in fostering the confidence required for high-pressure matches.
Ultimately, he believes players with strong character are better equipped to handle pressure than those relying solely on technical ability. Consequently, mental conditioning is integrated alongside physical and tactical training throughout the tournament.
Mentoring players is a collective effort that extends beyond the coaching staff. Within the team, every individual plays a role in fostering an environment that encourages learning, risk-taking, and mutual development.
This sentiment is shared by Fadhilah Raffi, an official for Putri JP Jakarta U-18, who has supported the team for nearly two years, including the 2024 and 2025 Pertiwi Cup seasons.
According to Raffi, the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 provides a well-organized, tiered competition system, offering young athletes from diverse regions the opportunity to advance to higher levels of play.
However, he notes that the most significant experience has been the internal dynamic developed within the team.
Raffi views Putri JP Jakarta as more than just a group of players chasing victories; it is a collective learning environment. The players continuously refine their skills, while the coaching staff remains open to updating their own knowledge to improve the development process.
Throughout the tournament, various challenges naturally emerged. Nevertheless, open communication and a strong sense of team unity ensured that obstacles were managed collectively without diminishing team morale.
"The challenges were significant, but thankfully all members of the team—officials and players alike—were able to overcome them together," said Fadhilah Raffi.
He believes this environment helps players grow not only as athletes but also as individuals capable of collaboration and mutual support.
A similar perspective was shared by Ruly Hidayansyah, coach of Cipta Cendikia FA U-15. For him, character development is built through consistent, small habits practiced daily.
Between matches, the coaching staff focuses on more than just strategy or opponent evaluation. They also monitor player sleep schedules, nutrition, and mobile phone usage, especially in the lead-up to games.
These habits are implemented not only to maintain physical condition but also to instill self-discipline and personal responsibility.
"My hope after this competition is that the players remain consistent with the values we have instilled, particularly regarding discipline," said Coach Ruly. "Small details like maintaining sleep and diet routines significantly assist player performance during matches."
For Coach Ruly, the success of player development does not conclude when the tournament ends. The values learned during the competition are expected to persist in the players' daily lives, serving them well at every stage of their future careers.
Ultimately, all development processes center on the players themselves.
For Keyssya Harun, a defender for Putri JP Jakarta U-18 (Jakarta), maintaining composure is just as critical as guarding the defensive line. Amidst a dense match schedule and opponents with varying playing styles, she has learned to manage pressure to remain focused on executing her duties on the pitch.
When direct opportunities to scout opponents are limited, teams rely on video footage and live match broadcasts for evaluation. This preparation ensures that every player understands their specific role before kickoff.
Beyond tactical training, Keyssya has a simple ritual to stay composed. Before taking the field, she prays, takes a short walk, and asks a teammate to tap her on the shoulder.
This simple routine helps her channel nervous energy into confidence. For Keyssya, every match is an opportunity to demonstrate the results of the training she has undergone with the team.
“We must give our absolute best in this match. If this journey ends here, I want to be remembered as a champion player.”
For many young athletes, the first opponent isn't the team on the other side of the pitch; it is themselves. Nerves, anxiety, and the fear of making mistakes are near-constant companions in competitive play.
This sentiment was echoed by Yasmin Aprilianti, a player for Cipta Cendikia FA U-15 (Bogor), who admitted struggling to manage tension during her early matches. Over time, however, the experience gained on the field helped her adapt, turning those nerves into self-assurance.
The process has not been without challenges. In addition to their opposition, Yasmin and her teammates have had to adjust to the heat and pitch conditions at the Supersoccer Arena. Through improved communication, they have learned to navigate these situations as part of their collective development.
Outside of training, Yasmin finds her focus by listening to music with teammates before matches. The support and prayers of her family remain a vital source of strength, while her admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo serves as a constant reminder to keep working hard.
Yasmin’s perspective illustrates that the journey of an athlete is about more than just achievements. It is defined by the hard work, discipline, and desire for growth that accompany every step taken with the team.
Every tournament eventually concludes, but the learning process for these players continues long after the final whistle.
Beyond gaining match experience during the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, players have cultivated essential life skills, including pressure management, self-confidence, discipline, teamwork, and accountability. These values were developed through training, competition, and daily life throughout the tournament.
Moreover, the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 highlights that the development of women's football extends beyond the pitch. With participants arriving from various regions, coupled with family support, volunteer involvement, and the presence of local small businesses at Supersoccer Arena, the competition has fostered a learning environment while generating a positive socioeconomic impact on the surrounding community.
By providing international-standard facilities at Supersoccer Arena and hosting sustainable youth competitions, the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation is creating a pathway for young female footballers to thrive from an early age.
Ultimately, while technical proficiency is vital, the experience of young athletes in the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 demonstrates that composure under pressure, commitment to the process, and character development are equally fundamental to their success as footballers. (JMY/ITN/SBR/mainkekudus)