Every weekend, an estimated 50 private football academies are in operation across Singapore as youngsters chase their dreams.

Some have a track record of success, like the JSSL, which has produced national youth players like Ben Davis, Joel Chew and Mahler Jacob William. Others have official links to famous clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea.

But until now, these entities are unregulated and do not come under the umbrella of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

That will change this year. The FAS will establish a nationwide Under-14 league - featuring 14 teams from the private schools and junior teams of S-League clubs - in the upcoming weeks. This will broaden the FAS' scouting base while the academies will enjoy affiliation with the national governing body.

The FAS also plans to help private academy coaches attain a minimum Asian Football Confederation C Licence coaching badge to ensure the quality of coaching for the kids is of a certain calibre.

The collaboration with private schools is a "win-win situation", FAS technical director Michel Sablon told The Straits Times.

"If they produce good players, the national youth teams will benefit.

"If these academies take part in FAS competitions, parents will find these academies attractive due to their official links with the national association.

"There will also be a good exchange of ideas between the FAS and these academies. It's strange that this was not done before but it is not too late."

The JSSL, established in 2002, has 750 children in its academy and another 250 in its elite programme. It is one of the largest in Singapore.

Its managing director Harvey Davis said: "We feel we have and will continue to contribute to the local football eco-system by producing top-quality local players who are in the NFA (National Football Academy) teams, both male and female."

Although registered as companies, there is little quality control over private academies. The Ronaldinho Football Academy and Juventus Soccer School have folded in recent years because of financial difficulties.

A local football official noted: "Some parents have enrolled their kids because of the academy's brand name or its association with a big-name player. But some of these operations folded very quickly without delivering their promises while some academies employ fly-by-night coaches without the proper coaching badges.

"This doesn't bode well for the youth scene at all.

"Regulating the private academies will give parents greater confidence when it comes to enrolment."

While supportive of the FAS' move, Sports Global director Steven Chua - whose company manages FCBEscola Singapore, the official Barcelona football school - was cautious.

He said: "The question would be how is FAS going to make sure these academies follow strictly to the syllabus and ensure the coaches are closely monitored in carrying out this? Is FAS going to assign a technical director to oversee the private academies?"

But the FAS hopes that greater cooperation with the private schools will benefit local football.

Gerard Christopher, FAS deputy director (general secretary office), said: "These private academies play a crucial part in our eco-system. We want to integrate them into the FAS fold. If we both work together and more good players are discovered, we both end up as winners."