… pilot project under way
GUYANA’S football nursery has turned a new chapter in its book of development and if the vision and aspirations of the Colin Baker-led committee are supported whole-heartedly by all and sundry the country’s future is well set for meaningful development. At a simple launch held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), yesterday, plans for the the establishment of a Guyana Schools Football Academy were disclosed to the media.
The US-based Baker, who is an Executive Director of the Guyana Sports Development Foundation, told the media that the plans to establish the project has already begun, stating that 22 teachers from 14 schools just completed a 3-day entry level football coaching course, presented by US-based Coaching Instructor, Guyanese Stanley Harmon, who will also be the Technical Director for the programme.
In outlining the Pilot project, Baker highlighted the main sponsors and the rich benefits to be derived. “The Scotia Bank/Pepsi Schools Football as the name suggests will be mainly sponsored by the Bank of Nova Scotia and Demerara Distillers Ltd and we will align sports with academics with the ultimate goal of producing well-rounded individuals.
It will cater to boys and girls ages 12 to 15 attending Secondary schools in Georgetown. The programme will also place much emphasis on discipline, resulting in a reduction in some of the social issues currently being experienced in society.
Scholarship opportunities will also be created for students in overseas colleges and universities as we plan to utilise College coaches who will visit Guyana to do training and have seminars for students and local caoches during the programme. The programme  will run for a 5-month period, culminating with a tournament of the participating schools where the top 4 teams will meet in a play-off to determine the champion,” Baker announced.
The ten schools selected to participate in the pilot project are: St Joseph High, Queen’s College, St Stanislaus College, Tutorial High, North Georgetown Secondary, North Ruimveldt Multilateral, East Ruimveldt Secondary, St Rose’s High, Tucville Secondary and Christ Church Secondary.
It was also stated that five alternate schools have been placed on standby and they are Richard Ishmael Secondary, Lodge Secondary, Marian Academy, New Campbellville Secondary and St John’s College.
It was also revealed that so far four of the selected schools have received commitments for sponsorship. Tutorial High, North Georgetown Secondary and Queen’s College will be sponsored by their respective Alumni Associations while St Joseph will have a prominent organisation behind them.
Both representatives of the main sponsors, Jennifer Cipriani-Nelson (Scotia) and Marlon Greavesande (DDL), expressed extreme pleasure on behalf of their companies for being part of the project because it caters to youths and indicated that between them US$11 000 be contributed. Both reps also wished the project every success and indicated their continued support.
According to Baker, the main sponsorship will go towards Administration and Equipment hence he is making an appeal to corporate Guyana and businesses to come on board and support the programme.
Also addressing the media was Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, who called for the inclusion of President’s College and awider participation of schools throughout Guyana. He singled out and specially congratulated Baker for his persistence and determination to get things done.
Kumar added that his Ministry of Sport stands ready to support in whatever way possible.
The full committee members serving the project are: Gordon Brathwaite (Ministry of Sport), Lindley Langhorne (Ministry of Education), George Rutherford (GFF), Ceon Bristol (GTU), Lyndon France (National Coaching Staff Rep. Boys), Sheron Abrams (Girls’ National Coaching Staff Rep), Troy Peters (Guyana Football Referees Council), Rawle Welch (Media Coordinator), Stanley Harmon (Technical Director), Charmaine Wade (Administrative Assistant), Colin Baker (Executive Director) and three designees – Lt. Commander, Vernon Burnett, Frank DeAbreu and Lawrence Griffith.