Vasco Partners With Somersfield Academy
Vasco da Gama Club has announced a partnership with Somersfield Academy. Starting in September 2019, the School’s field will be the Club’s training and home pitch for its Youth Football Programme.
“The Club continues to press ahead with its commitment to local football by investing in its youth. Groups training under the Vasco banner will include from pee-wees through to Under-13s,” the club said.
“Training sessions will take place Monday to Thursday while competitive games will be on Saturday,” the club said.
“Somersfield brings a safe and productive environment to the programme. As part of its focus on growth and personal development, Vasco will also incorporate a homework club into training sessions and emphasize the need of giving back to the community.
“The Club is also exploring transport options to get children to the homework club and training to make things easier for parents.
Director, Germano Botelho, and Assistant Director/Coach, Joseph Carolo
“Registration to take part in the programme closes on Monday, 15 July 2019. The yearly cost will be $300 per child, and there is a “sibling discount” of $150 for each additional child registered. If any parent is interested in registering their children, please email footballvasco@gmail.com for the forms and more information.
“The Club is also pleased to announce the leadership for the youth programme. Mr Germano Botelho will become the Director of the Youth Programme. Mr Joseph Carolo will become its Assistant Director and one of its coaches. Both men bring many years of experience in the training and care of young footballers.”
Mr Botelho said, “The ethos of the Vasco youth programme will be to train young players to become good citizens. We all like to win, and we won’t be discouraging that. But we will first and foremost emphasize personal growth and development, and the need for young people to grow up healthy and most important, have fun.
“Thanks to the Vasco Board for supporting our efforts, and to Somersfield for agreeing to this partnership. Those are critical parts in this equation.”
Mr Carolo added: “We have a very impressive and dedicated group of coaches taking part in the programme. We look forward to rolling out their names in the coming weeks.
“Also, the parents who signed up their children are full of enthusiasm. Everyone is excited to be working towards the same goal of building this programme from the ground up. I can’t thank Somersfield enough for coming on board.”
The spokesperson said, “The Club is very happy to welcome Germano and Joe. Both of them bring a wealth of experience in youth football.
“The formal launch of this programme follows the successful re-entry of a Vasco adult team following an 18 year absence from senior football in Bermuda. The Club did this with a view towards bringing in a more family-friendly focus to its matches.
“To that end, the Club signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bermuda Sport Anti Doping Authority in 2018 and became the first football team in Bermuda to randomly drug test each member of the team.
“The establishment of this youth programme follows the visit in June 2018 to Bermuda of former Portuguese international footballer Pauleta and the hosting of a successful football clinic with over 100 children participating.
“The interest in a programme then reached a fever pitch after the Club successfully took part in the 13th International U11 Football Tournament of the Azores on 18, 19 and 20 April, organized by Clube União Micaelense, of Ponta Delgada, Azores.
“The Club also partnered with the Bermuda Football Association to host an international friendly between Bermuda and São Miguel, Azores, on 25 May.”
