… set to kick off Saturday, March 15

CHARLESTOWN Secondary will defend their title when the 4th annual Scotiabank/Pepsi-sponsored Guyana Sports Development Foundation (GSDF)-organised Football Academy kicks off on Saturday, March 15 at the Ministry of Education Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue.At a press conference held yesterday at the Carifesta Sports Complex, organisers rolled out the fixtures for the four-month long tournament which is set to see more than 100 games played across Georgetown, Linden and Berbice.
The 12 male teams participating are divided into two groups, Group ‘A’ which includes St George’s High, Tutorial High, North Georgetown Secondary, School of the Nations, Lodge Secondary and Campbellville Secondary.
Group ‘B’ consists of Queen’s College, Chase Academy, Bishops’ High, Tucville Secondary, defending champions Charlestown Secondary and Christ Church Secondary.
The female competition will see five teams in Group ‘A’ – Tutorial High, Lodge Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, Tucville Secondary and Charlestown Secondary battle, while Campbellville Secondary, Christ Church, North Georgetown and St George’s are included in Group ‘B’.
“The 2014 Scotiabank/Pepsi programme will continue to focus on males in the 10 to 15 age groups, but will widen the range for the females from 10 to 17 years.
The main purpose for expanding the age range is to have more female teams participate, Victor Wright Chairman of the GSDF organising committee opined during yesterday’s press conference.
Wright further added that “in preparation for this uniquely developmental, 2014 Scotiabank/Pepsi Academy Programme 24 teachers participated in the Coaching classes and a total of 68 teachers have been trained over the past four years”.
He noted that there was also participation from 31 students and a total of 80 new assistant referees have been trained over the past four years.
Meanwhile, Corporate Guyana continues to lend unwavering support to the GSDF.
“’The programme is about to start and I know the players and coaches are looking forward to implementing all that they’ve learnt over the past few weeks but we need to remember that in all the excitement of the game that this phase is very important too because this is where we are going to see who are able to implement all they have learnt and most of all play as a team,” Scotiabank’s Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani said during her remarks at the press conference.
She said Scotiabank is pleased to note that it is the lone financial institution that invests heavily in the development of female football at this level across the country.
Demerara Distillers Limited through its Pepsi Brand is also on board.
“As the co-sponsor of this academy, it is with great pleasure that DDL/Pepsi continues to play its role in supporting youths and grassroots programme in the communities in which we operate,” said Executive Manager Larry Wills.
Female teams: East Ruimveldt Secondary meet Tutorial High in a Group ‘A’ encounter on Saturday to kick-start the tournament from 11:00hrs.
This follows a march past of the participating teams with the school team from each area being adjudged and the best will receive a desktop computer.
Berbice and Linden area schools will hold their launch on March 22, 2014

Fixtures:
Saturday March 15, 11:00hrs: East Ruimveldt vs Tutorial High Female – Group ‘A’
Sunday March 16, 09:30hrs: Tutorial High vs Campbellville Sec. Male – Group ‘A’
Sunday March 23, 10:300hrs: Lodge Secondary vs Charlestown Sec. Female Group ‘A’
Saturday March 29, 10:00hrs: St George’s vs North GT Sec Male Group ‘A’
Saturday March 29, 11:30hrs: Queen’s College vs Chase Academy Male Group ‘B’
Sunday March 30, 11:30hrs: Charlestown vs Tucville Sec. Male Group ‘B’