Cultivating Character and a Winning Mentality Leads to Success

Kudus – Achieving success as a soccer player requires more than just technical skill or strategic acumen on the field. Often, a player's greatest challenge is mental, stemming from internal pressures such as nervousness, the need to perform, and the resilience to recover from mistakes—essential lessons for young athletes to master.

These developmental milestones are 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 tournament serves not only as a competitive stage for 16 youth teams in the U-15 and U-18 categories from across Indonesia, but also as an invaluable learning environment for players to cultivate discipline, confidence, and the mental fortitude required to overcome adversity.

The tournament’s atmosphere underscored this environment, with thousands of spectators filling the stands alongside vendors, volunteers, and staff who kept the matches well-organized and vibrant. Beyond the public spectacle, young players underwent a quieter, internal transformation: learning to manage emotions, maintain focus, and trust in their own abilities.

Character Over Achievement

For Herry Susilo, head coach of the U-18 Putri JP Jakarta team, nurturing young talent extends far beyond tactical performance. He believes that every tournament offers a critical opportunity to shape a player’s character, fostering discipline, responsibility, and strong values both on and off the field.

Susilo has observed significant personal growth in his players. Through the rigors of competing, they have learned to embrace the responsibility of wearing the team jersey, value punctuality, and adhere to collective agreements and team rules.

He emphasizes that mental readiness is pivotal. Overcoming self-doubt when facing seasoned opponents is a major hurdle, and he consistently reminds his squad that their trip to Kudus is not just for the competition, but to showcase the skills developed through their rigorous training.

This commitment to character building translates into their daily routines. Players are encouraged to maintain discipline in their private lives, including keeping regular schedules and observing daily prayers. According to Susilo, these simple habits bolster the confidence players bring with them onto the pitch.

For him, a player with a strong character is better equipped to handle high-pressure situations than one who relies solely on raw technical ability. Consequently, mental conditioning remains an integral part of the coaching strategy alongside physical and tactical training throughout the tournament.

Shared Responsibility for Growth

Fostering a player’s mental game is not solely the coach's duty. Within a successful team, every individual contributes to creating an environment that encourages players to learn, experiment, and grow together.

This sentiment is shared by Fadhilah Raffi, an official with the U-18 Putri JP Jakarta team, who has supported the squad for nearly two years since the 2024–2025 Pertiwi Cup seasons.

According to Raffi, the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 provides a well-organized, tiered competition system that offers young players from various regions the opportunity to develop and advance to higher levels.

However, the most memorable experiences for him have stemmed from the team's internal dynamics.

Raffi views Putri JP Jakarta as more than just a group of athletes pursuing victory. It is an environment where everyone learns together, with players continuously refining their skills while the coaching staff remains open to updating their knowledge to improve development processes.

Throughout the tournament, challenges were inevitable. Nevertheless, open communication and a shared sense of belonging allowed the team to address every issue collectively without dampening their spirit.

"There were actually quite a few challenges, but thank God, all the team members, officials, and players were able to overcome them and tackle the problems together," said Fadhilah Raffi.

He believes that this atmosphere is what enables players to grow—not only as athletes but also as individuals capable of collaboration and mutual support.

Discipline Begins with Simple Habits

A similar perspective is shared by Ruly Hidayansyah, coach of the Cipta Cendikia FA U-15 team. For him, character development is built through small, daily habits practiced consistently.

Between match preparations, the coaching staff focuses on more than just strategy or evaluating opponents. They also ensure players maintain proper sleep schedules, follow nutritional plans, and limit mobile phone usage, especially leading up to matches.

These habits are implemented not only to maintain physical fitness but also to instill discipline and personal responsibility.

"My hope is that after this competition, the players remain consistent with the values we have instilled, especially regarding discipline," said Coach Ruly. "Small things like maintaining sleep and diet patterns significantly contribute to a player's development during matches."

For Coach Ruly, the success of player development continues after the tournament ends. The values learned during the competition are expected to persist in the players' daily lives, serving as a foundation for their future career paths.

Learning Self-Control Under Pressure

Ultimately, all developmental efforts are centered on the players themselves.

For Keyssya Harun, a defender for Putri JP Jakarta U-18 (Jakarta), remaining calm is as important as maintaining a solid defensive line. Amid a packed schedule and diverse playing styles from opponents, she has learned to manage pressure to stay focused on her duties on the field.

When opportunities to scout opponents in person are limited, teams rely on game footage and live broadcasts for evaluation. Such preparation ensures that every player understands their specific role before kickoff.

Beyond tactical drills, Keyssya has developed a simple ritual to stay composed. Before entering the pitch, she offers a prayer, takes a brief walk, and asks a teammate to pat her shoulders.

These simple routines help her channel nerves into confidence. For Keyssya, every match serves as an opportunity to showcase the results of their collective training.

“We must give our absolute best in this match. Should this journey come to an end, I want to be remembered as a champion player.”

Overcoming the First Opponent: Nerves

For many young athletes, the first opponent they face is not the team across the field, but themselves. Anxiety, nervousness, and the fear of making mistakes are challenges that almost always accompany every match.

Yasmin Aprilianti, a player for Cipta Cendikia FA U-15 (Bogor), acknowledges that she initially struggled to manage match-day tension. Over time, however, accumulated experience allowed her to adapt, gradually transforming those nerves into self-assurance.

This process was not without its hurdles. Beyond facing opponents, Yasmin and her teammates had to adapt to the heat and pitch conditions at the Supersoccer Arena. Through improved communication, they learned to view these challenges as part of their collective development.

Off the pitch, Yasmin finds calm by listening to music with teammates before matches. The prayers of her parents and family remain a constant source of inspiration, while the example of Cristiano Ronaldo serves as a reminder to maintain a strong work ethic at every opportunity.

Yasmin’s perspective illustrates that becoming an athlete is about more than just achievement; it is a journey defined by hard work, discipline, and a commitment to continuous growth.

Lessons Taken Home

Every tournament eventually concludes, but the learning process for these players continues long after the final whistle.

Throughout their participation in the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, players gained more than just match experience. They learned to manage pressure, build self-confidence, maintain discipline, cultivate teamwork, and take responsibility for their roles within the squad. These values were fostered through training, competition, and daily life throughout the tournament.

Moreover, the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 demonstrated that girls' football development extends beyond the pitch. The participation of players from various regions, family support, volunteer involvement, and the activity of local small businesses around the Supersoccer Arena highlighted how a competition creates a learning environment while generating a positive impact on the surrounding community.

By providing international-standard sports facilities at the Supersoccer Arena and hosting sustainable youth competitions, the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation is creating a space for young female footballers to develop from an early age.

Ultimately, ball-handling skills are an essential asset for any player. However, the experience of these young athletes at the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 shows that composure under pressure, discipline in the process, and character development from an early age are equally vital foundations in their journey as footballers. (JMY/ITN/SBR/mainkekudus)