Kids of all ages just love going to soccer camp

By Christopher Tobutt 

Every summer, hundreds of kids from all over Cayman come to FC International’s Football Summer Camps that are held all over the Island.  They learn football skills and good sportsperson-ship and teamwork with their friends. Each week-long camp is completely free and nobody gets left out. This last week a special camp was held on the Annex sports field by George Town Primary School.

Kids between 3 and 17 were learning to dribble, tackle and shoot. Many of the coaches grew up with the programme, and want to pass their passion on to the next generation. One grandma, Lindal Coston, was there to cheer on her three-and-a-half year old grandson Kai Coston. “Coach Cassandra and Coach Mel have been helping him. He loves it so much,” she said. Coach Cassandra said, “Its always a passion of mine to work with children, and when I was growing up I went to football camp, so I figured the best way to get involved was by getting involved in a football camp.”

Running around in the hot sun is thirsty work and the kids get plenty of water and nice cool fruit punch too, and other refreshments, all for free.  FC international’s President Kennedy Ebanks always gives up his valuable time for the children, as does Coach and Technical  Elbert McLean. “This camp is totally free. We depend on support from the public, so anyone who wants to support it is welcome. Or if you want to come out, and assist as one of the volunteers, you are also welcome,” Mr. Ebanks said.

George Town MP Joey Hew was there, encouraging the children as they all gathered around him. He told them all how proud he was of them, and how the discipline they learn on the football pitch can help them with their school work.  He has always supported the camp in any way he could, He loves Soccer camps like this one. “My family used to run a soccer camp with the late Winston Chung who became National Team Coach for many years,” Mr. Hew said.  Mr. Hew praised the tireless and selfless dedication of all the volunteers. “I’ve always assisted, ended up running one myself for a few years, so I know the effort and dedication, the expense, and the logistics involved,” he said.  “I am MP for this area and I help with FC international, whatever Kennedy Ebanks needs I try to help with. 

“Camps like this are important because they are good for physical exercise, and some of the younger kids especially develop the passion for summer camps,” Mr. Hew continued. “Also it assists parents in finding something safe and productive for their children to do during the summer breaks. It provides great life lessons, discipline and of course all the dedicated young coaches are great role models for the children. It teaches them the value of working along with others as a team and having the discipline to come out and apply yourself and take a pride in yourself.”

Coach and Technical Director Elbert McLean is always there, spending his hours helping the kids. All of the coaches who could be out earning money spend their time helping the kids for free, because of their love for them, and for the sport.  “In summertime the kids need to come and get out of the house for three or four hours and do something active, learning discipline, teamwork, and keeping them positive. School’s coming up, and because they are attending camp, I can promise you one thing, the parents of these kids aren’t going to have any problem with them,” he said.