FC INTERNATIONAL HOSTS CAYMAN BRAC FOOTBALL CAMP

FC International Football Camp continues its reign in Cayman Brac as the camp that attracts the largest participants annually through various youth ages of both boys and girls. The camp was held in Cayman Brac on December 12, 2020 at the Cayman Brac Sports Complex and witnessed a record 60 children participating from ages 4-17 years old. Other records broken at the camp was the attendance of 8 female athletes and 8 coaching staff, which accentuated the continual growing success of the sports programmes in Cayman Brac under the leadership of Sports Coordinator Harold Sanford.

The camp was held from 9:00am to 1:00pm and the children were split into four age-divisions (U-8, U-12, U-14, and U-18) with two-coaching staff per group. Learning activities included basic fundamental skills in passing, control, dribbling and shooting. From there, the children went on to technical drills that incorporated their learnt skills with a twist of fun. Closing out the physical exercise portion of the camp, each age-division went on to finish the day with some fun and competitive 3v3 festival-style competition.

Much admiration and credit must be given to the Community Coaching Staff of the camp. These coaches are all certified FIFA Grassroots Coaches and in the summer this year, four of the coaches received the CONCACAF ‘D’ License compliments of CIFA and the English FA. Leading the charge in Cayman Brac is Mr. Sanford, who has coaching licenses in football from FIFA, CONCACAF, FA, and Brazil. He also holds certifications in other sports like track & field, basketball, child protection, psychology, ILM and as is in the final stages of finishing his MBA. To assist Mr. Sanford with over 15 sports programmes in Cayman Brac that he manages, the Sports Association of the Sister Islands provides a coaching-stipend for more than 12 part-time community coaches annually.

Gracing the camp at its opening and giving brief encouraging remarks, was the honorable Deputy Premier Mr. Moses Kirkconnell. He encouraged them to continue sports, spoke of where sports in Cayman Brac came from over the years and emphasized the efforts that the government had made in not only developing the sports infrastructure, but provided the island with the best money can buy. Following Mr. Kirkconell’s remarks, Sports Coordinator Harold Sanford paid respect to both Mr. Kirkconnell and Honorable Sports Minister Mrs. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly for their continued dedication to building the Sports Complex and the sports programs.

At the closing of the camp, the children received words of wisdom and inspiration from FC International President Mr. Kennedy Ebanks, Barrister Mrs. Amelia Fosuhene and Police Constable Fabian Connor. Following the remarks, each child received a free camp T-shirt, a soccer ball and lunch before departing the complex. Mr. Sanford thanked FC International for their annual camp in Cayman Brac along with Mr, Ricardo Lindo for taking photos of the event, Mr. Noel Williams and Mr. Ralph Williams for their time and contribution to make the camp a success. Market Place for providing the lunch, the mother’s in attendance for serving the food, his dedicated coaching staff, participants for attending, and the PWD for erection of the bleacher tents.

President Mr. Kennedy Ebanks also voiced his appreciation to all sponsors and supporters which included the Caymanian Times Newspaper.