Vasco Plans To Start Youth Football Programme
Vasco da Gama Club announced the tentative start of a youth football programme and invited parents to express their interest in the programme.
The announcement comes on the heels of the Club’s successful participation last month in the 13th International U11 Football Tournament of the Azores, which was held on 18, 19 and 20 April and organized by Clube União Micaelense based in Ponta Delgada, Azores.
Vasco’s President Paul Franco said, “For many months now, parents have been asking the Club about when we are going to start a youth programme. This goes back to last June when former Portuguese international footballer Pauleta visited us and held a successful football clinic with over 100 children participating. This continued with Vasco’s senior football returning to football after a close to 20 year absence.
“The interest went into overdrive after our successful participation in Clube União Micaelense’s youth tournament. We have also recently partnered with the Bermuda Football Association to host a football match this month between Bermuda and a select team from São Miguel.”
Mr Germano Botelho, the head coach for the Vasco & Bermuda joint select team that visited the Azores last month notes that this is the ideal time to start a programme.
“With what Vasco has been trying to build in terms of football, starting a youth programme is the logical next step. Our young athletes on the select team acquitted themselves well, and we went away with our heads held high and with a good reputation for both Bermuda and the Club.
“So coach Joe Carolo and I approached the Club’s leadership to canvass their willingness to start a youth programme, and their response was enthusiastically in favour. Our next step is to gauge community interest.”
To those ends, Vasco has created an online survey and invites any parents interested in such a programme to respond. The survey can be found here. Alternatively, parents can email the Club on vasco@logic.bm, and the Club will be glad to share the link or answer any questions they may have.
