BFA Announces Partnership With UK-Based FBT
FBT International Football Academy and the Bermuda Football Association have announced a “mutually beneficial partnership which has been developed to benefit young football players, coaches and the football family of Bermuda.”
A spokesperson said, “FBT International Football Academy is part of FBT Europe, the sportswear brand and is chaired by Sir Rodney Walker.
“From the outset, the partnership aims to present opportunities to talented young players in the world of professional football and education. The partnership will also look at ways to enhance the quality of coaching in Bermuda and further develop the network of coaches on and off the Island.
“The Academy will look to hold two or four week Talent ID camps at its base in Yorkshire, England three times annually. These camps will target talented young players who wish to understand much more about the world of professional football in order to pursue a career within the game.
“FBT International Football Academy has excellent contacts and relationships in the world of professional football in the U.K. We have outstanding training and match facilities, fully serviced accommodation and a superb infrastructure to allow improvement and achievement.”
FBT academy spokesperson Liam Sutcliff said, “Our prospects are recruited from around the world. Our main objective is to provide a multi-cultural academy capable of providing a diverse range of opportunities in the world of professional football, with options to study while resident with our academy. Our players are with the academy on a full time basis for up to two years.
“We have a track record of progressing players into professional football. In the last few weeks we have placed a player into a club within the Scottish Premiership. We look forward to working in partnership with the BFA on many levels for the development of Bermudian players and coaches.”
BFA President and Chairman of Player Development Mark Wade said, “We are continually looking for development pathways for Bermuda players. The relationship with FBT adds another option to the menu of pathways to choose from. The FBT model provides player candidates with the experience of a professional football academy.
“We have followed the evolution of the FBT Academy from its beginning including the experiences of Bermudian players who attended the Academy to experience life as an aspiring professional football player. The history and growth of the FBT academy is poised to develop into a respected organization whereby the BFA is optimistic of seeing the relationship flourish via this partnership.”
