Controlling the diet of players is not the easiest of tasks for a coach, especially for one in charge of eight- to 12-year-olds.

But Herman Zailani is now better equipped to help his trainees adopt a healthier lifestyle.

"I learnt from the coaches that nutrition is very important if a player is to perform at his maximum potential," said the 35-year-old holder of an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 'A' Licence.

"For example, before training or matches, fruit is important.

"Mangoes, pineapples, bananas are all good because they have the right amount of fibre and are not that high in sugar."

He was one of about 30 local coaches who received lessons on food nutrition as part of a Premier Skills course yesterday.

The event featured Premier League club Stoke City's manager Mark Hughes as guest of honour.

The course is part of the Premier League's international coaching programme.

The league, together with the British Council, is running three community football development programmes.

They began on Friday and will culminate in a festival on Tuesday at the Jalan Besar Stadium .

The coaches from Everton, Stoke and Arsenal, who are in town for the Barclays Asia Trophy, as well as EPL referees Jon Moss and Craig Pawson, will be sharing their knowledge with local coaches and referees.

Singapore is also the first country to have a Premier Skills course that includes a One Goal module.

One Goal is a global movement that aims to tackle the issue of child malnutrition in Asia.