Over 70 youths from across the Territory on Thursday, August 9, 2018 and Friday, August 10, 2018, benefitted from the coaching prowess of officials of British Virgin Islands Football Association during its ‘Football Festival.’ Photo: Provided

With the objective of giving the youngsters a chance to get back on the field and improving their football skills in the process the ‘Football Festival’ saw the participation of youths ranging from ages nine to 17 years. Photo: Provided

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Over 70 youths from across the Territory on Thursday, August 9, 2018 and Friday, August 10, 2018, benefitted from the coaching prowess of officials of British Virgin Islands Football Association (BVIFA) during its ‘Football Festival.’

With the objective of giving the youngsters a chance to get back on the field and improving their football skills in the process the ‘Football Festival’ saw the participation of youths ranging from ages nine to 17 years.

BVIFA in a subsequent release, stated that, “the object of the festival was to give youngsters who have fallen off the radar this year due to last year’s challenges a chance to come out and get back into the football mode again and for others who have thought about playing but never got a chance to play or some who may have felt intimidated to come and play with a team in the school league due to lack of practice, now was the time to come out again and give football a shot.”

Recruit New Players

The Association also used the opportunity to scout and recruit new players, “who could potentially develop into national team players.”

“The days also gave the more seasoned players a chance to display their skills and in the process the FA could have a look at where improvements could be made,” the Association stated.

One of the facilitating coaches—Jamie Wilson—said, “the motive for the festival for the players was to get them together to play on a level platform and also to be able to do something during their time off.” 

He indicated that based on the response, plans are already underway to “run another festival in the next school break and to make it a regular occurrence on the school calendar.”

VG Coach

Speaking to the success of the event, Virgin Gorda (VG) coach, Thomas Albert—who ferried some 20 children from Virgin Gorda—said, “the children seem very passionate and are having fun.

“My main concern though is the surface in Virgin Gorda compared to the new state of the art surface at Greenlands in East End as the youngsters will develop their touch control much faster…Nevertheless, my aim is develop the field in VG so that the FA will have more school games on his field and my children will continue to excel."