Jeana James and Linda Alexander both successfully passed the U.S. Youth Soccer Level "E" course held last week. Photo: VINO/File

BVIFA President Andy Bickerton was pleased to hear that Youth Football was given the thumbs up by Jim Camillo of the Pennyslyvania Youth Football Association after the recent Camps and Coaching Courses. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Jim Camillo was the chief organizer of both the Camp and the Coaching Course bringing down several top flight coaches to assist him. He noticed a vast improvement in the Youth Players, which he put down to the School League.

However, he did make three recommendations as to how the development of the Youths could make even bigger strides.

According to Avenel “Clarky” Morton, the Camps were well attended and received great Parental support, with about 50 males and females at each venue on Virgin Gorda and Tortola.

“The Camp went rather well it was a tremendous success and the kids were terrific.” he commented. “But the camp is never going to upswing soccer in the BVI by itself. It is as much a cultural exchange as it is a Soccer Camp.”

The first recommendation to continue the upswing is the continuation of the School League. “Since the advent of the school league the level of the players has gone up considerably. It is a year since I have been here and the improvements in play are obvious, so league is working.”

However, as a word of caution to not get complacent and realizing the need to make some big improvements to the way the Youths are taught throughout the territory, Camillo also made two more points. “To really radically change the programme, coaches education has to be continuing and with a commitment that will change the entire ethic of football on the island.”

He also implored the BVIFA to continue to encourage the Coaches to pursue the next levels of Coaching Courses and not forget those who teach football in the schools. “It is important to set up a “Farm” system and get the Schools as much exposure as possible to the methodology of coachin.g”

The last fresh idea that Camillo proffered was something a lot of Sports including Football seem to have forgotten.

Youths learn mostly by watching and playing with people they can relate to and don’t always need such a structured environment as produced by Coaches and as Camillo explained, “Take the better players you have and send them out to a field with a bunch of kids and just let them play together!”

He added, “A lot of what is learned through soccer is done by imitation and if they see someone doing things that they can relate to better on an age level then they will see it, copy it and master it.”

He compared the idea to Basketball which has little or no structured coaching until High School in the States. The youngsters learn by playing he noted ,“and look how successful that sport is”.

International “A” Level Coach, Michael Carr, who is head of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association and has a responsibility for training all the Coaches in an area with over 100,00 players, was in charge of the Level “E” Course which had 18 successful participants.

The BVIFA had to apply for permission to host the USA Level “E” coaching Course from the United Sates Youth Soccer Organisation and by extension FIFA, but according to Camillo it will be worthwhile.

Carr noted that he was looking forward to returning in the Spring of 2013 to hold the next level of Coaching Qualification a “D” License.

The newly qualified Coaches are; Linda Alexander, Glen Bascombe, Troy Cesar, Horace Cole, Donville Eddy, Murcella Gordon, Kenrick Grant, Junior Heyliger, Mark Hall, Lenroy Murray, Jeana James, Dennis Jones, Wendel Nicholls, Kenmore Peters, Timon Robertson, Jewellyn Springette, Joseph Valrose and Avondale Williams.

BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton was pleased to hear what Camiilo had to say about the improvements he saw. “The improvements in the standards at Junior Levels is interesting to hear from Jim, as it’s been a year since he was last year.”

Bickerton had also recognized a significant improvement in the Under 12 and below levels and said it would be a focus of the BVIFA to maintain interest of younger ones as they move into high school. “The under 17’s have just been competing in World Cup Qualifiers in Trinidad and whilst at this stage it is very much just an experience for them, it is something for the next group of youngsters to look forward to.”

The newly revamped Caribbean Football Union also has plans for a regional Under 15 competitions which would allow the BVI to play teams of a similar level and continue its progressive development.

All in all, Football is making great strides and deserves the “Thumbs up” it is receiving from outside the Territory as well as within.