Barbados Football Association (BFA) through its FIFA grassroots programme has partnered with the National Sports Council (NSC) through its summer camp programme to help develop the skills of more than 60 young footballers.
The session was conducted today at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic ground and BFA committee member Anthony Roachford said one of the key areas they put emphasis on was discipline.
Participants from the Barbados Football Association Grassroots Programme.
“We the committee members aim to use this programme not only for the skills but the holistic development of the youth. So one of the things we are looking to do is develop discipline in the programme.
“We recognize that sports is a vehicle for development and we have skills in this region and the aim is not only to look at the 20 year olds but the 11 year olds also,” he said.
One of the participants, Jaheim Gittens, who currently trains with the Barbados Soccer Academy, praised the programme and described it as very informative.
Jaheim Gittens (center) shows off his skills while Romario Dates (left) and Joshua Blackman (right) pay attention.
The former Charles F. Broome student who will be heading to Parkinson Memorial Secondary come September said he hoped that the programme would continue so he could continue to develop his craft and maybe one day gain a scholarship.
“This camp was fun, it taught me how to pass accurately and I hope to get a scholarship one day because I love to play football,” said Gittens, who has been apart of the NSC camp for four years.
Joshua Blackman, a student of George Lamming Primary, said the grassroots programme taught him to take his time when dribbling. “I learn that you must take your time and you can’t rush everything,” he said.
A similar programme will be conducted sometime in August and will be geared towards young girls. Meanwhile when the new school term begins the BFA intends to take the programme back into the schools.