Digicel Football Academy Launches In Barbados
Yesterday [Nov 11] marked the opening of the 2013 Digicel Chelsea Football Academy in which 39 of the region’s top young footballers — including Bermudians Amar Lewis, Tyriko Williams and Te’vahn Tyrell — will receive a week-long training experience given by some the world’s best youth coaches from the Chelsea Football Club Foundation.
Having come through several rounds of trials, culminating in the Digicel Kick Start Clinics earlier this year, these boys have been hand-picked to take part in the Academy by the Chelsea FC coaches themselves and as such, are some of the region’s top young footballers.
This week, they will experience what life is like in the Chelsea Academy as they are put through their paces in morning and afternoon sessions culminating in a round robin tournament on Saturday.
All 39 Digicel/Chelsea Academy participants at the Kensington Oval in Barbados:
Chelsea FC Foundation International Development Manager, Ian Woodroffe, said, “On behalf of Chelsea FC Foundation, we are delighted to be joining with Digicel again in the second year of our three year partnership.
“For our part, even over the course of one year, we have seen real development in the focus on football in the region and that is what makes it worthwhile for us. This region is brimming with talent and together with Digicel, we want to make sure the structure is there for these potential stars of the future to get noticed.”
Senior International Football Development Officer of the Chelsea Football Club Foundation, David Monk, shares a light moment with the Minister of Family, Youth, Sports and Culture Stephen Lashley and Digicel Barbados Commercial Director, Alex Tasker
Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship, James Wynne, said, “As part of our commitment to the development of football throughout the region, we are thrilled to be bringing together the region’s top young footballers for this week-long programme of world class coaching. We hope to deliver a great life experience for these boys. They hail from many different counties and cultures but football is universal and here at the Academy they will have an opportunity to work together to hone their skills and develop as individuals.”
Speakers at the Digicel/Chelsea Academy press conference. L-R: Minister Lashley, Alex Tasker, Senior International Football Development Manager for the Chelsea Football Club Foundation, David Monk, Barbados Tourism Authority Marketing Executive for Sports, Winston Carter and President of the Barbados Football Association, Randy Harris
