PREPARATIONS are going apace for the second Annual Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools Football Academy which is billed to kick off next month with two training programmes for coaches and referees ahead of the tournament. Organisers expect an increase in the number of schools participating this year with four schools expected to make their debut bringing the number to twelve.
Colin Baker, Chairman of the Organising Committee said his committee is currently in discussions with Charlestown Secondary, St Stanislaus College, Central High and Bishops’ High to be part of the programme.
They are expected to join North Georgetown Secondary, Tucville Secondary, Queen’s College, Christ Church Secondary, Tutorial High, East Ruimveldt Secondary, St George’s Secondary and St Joseph High.
Baker said that last year’s Academy was a resounding success and expectations are high for this year’s programme.
“We are looking this year to expand the schools football league, creating a school league for both male and female players in Guyana, improve the level of coaches in schools and to provide more rounded footballers for the national pool selection as well as to create a cadre of future referees,” he added.
Key stakeholders include the ministries of Education and Sport, Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), the US-based Guyana Sports Development Foundation (GSDF) and the participating schools.
United States-accredited coach Stan Harmon who is also a member of the organising committee is due in Guyana early next month to conduct a three-day course for coaches of the schools taking part in the Academy.
FIFA Referees Instructor Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith will then conduct a three-day referees’ programme for participating schools.
The tournament phase of the programme is expected to kick off during the first week in March.
Baker expressed gratitude to Scotiabank and Demerara Distillers Ltd, through its Pepsi Brand, and other key stakeholders for coming on board once again this year.
The organising committee comprises Baker, Stan Harmon, Charmaine Wade, Lawrence Griffith, Lindley Langhorne, Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite, T. H. Peters and George Rutherford.