Meet the coaches behind HHFA — a team of graduated coaches from France, Belgium, Denmark, and Thailand, coaching together for years.
Coach Farid grew up in a French football academy, competing in the most competitive youth league in the world — the Paris Île-de-France League — before representing La Sorbonne University on a scholarship in the French University League and European tournaments.
He continued to play football till recently, but focused on his track-and-field career for an important part of his life.
Alongside football, Coach Farid competed in swimming and track and field at CA Montreuil 93 — one of the most decorated athletics clubs in France.
Competing in football on Saturdays and cross-country championships on weekends was a significant part of his life.
Now past 45, he still competes regularly in triathlon, Ironman, hybrid fitness, and running events.
Coach Farid began coaching as a ski instructor in the Alps during his university years.
He later coached a girls' youth team, guiding his younger sister through the semi-professional pathway and Clairefontaine national centre selections.
His background also includes strength and conditioning coaching for different football teams in Paris, France.
He is the co-founder of Runista, a triathlon and endurance coaching firm based in Asia, where he manages the youth athletics programme.
Coach Steve Barbé is a former professional football player from Belgium.
An all-round midfielder, he played in the Belgian First Division for several clubs before joining Charlton Athletic in the English Championship.
He returned to Belgium to finish his career in one of the most consistently ranked football nations in the world.
Coach Steve represented the Belgian National Team from U14 to U21.
Coach Steve began his coaching career over 10 years ago in Hua Hin, before founding the renowned Juventus Academy in Bangkok.
His focus is on the development of young local players, pushing each one to their highest level.
He now leads the HHFA A team across all competitions and leagues.
Coach Martin played for years in the local school and academy team of Hua Hin and remains an active player, recognised as an excellent goalkeeper.
Alongside football, Coach Martin has been active across several sports — he competed as a national athlete in Taekwondo for the Thai Youth National Team and now trains daily in Western Boxing daily.
Coach Martin began his coaching journey 3 years ago as an apprentice coach under the supervision of Coach Farid and Coach Steve.
He obtained his Football Association certification and has since accumulated over 3,000 hours of coaching across multiple groups — beginners, girls, and camps — with a specialisation in 1-on-1 private sessions to accelerate individual player development.
At just 22 years old, he is also responsible for the management, supervision and administration of HH Football Academy.
