Nine primary and secondary schools are set to benefit from a pilot project called the School Programme 2012.
Organized by The Brewster Trust, the programme began on Monday and is set to run until the end of the term. It will provide 31 sessions or 49 hours of football coaching on a weekly basis at selected schools.
Workman’s, Eden Lodge, Mount Tabor and Milton Lynch are the chosen primary schools with Christ Church Foundation, Parkinson Memorial, Lester Vaughan, Alma Parris Memorial and perennial secondary champions St Leonard’s the secondary ones.
“The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, as well as the principals, agreed in our planning meetings that the sessions are part of the curriculum, which is a clear commitment and also a big advantage, especially for the participants,” said Axel Bernhardt, chief executive officer of The Brewster Trust.
“It also shows that we have achieved a positive image, especially with regard to quality and organization since we began in Barbados in September 2010.”
Bernhardt expressed regret that they were unable to coach all of the schools, but were quite happy to run the pilot programme, knowing its potential.
The Brewster Trust follows FIFA’s Grassroots principles and also teaches discipline, respect and fair play. The sessions, held on the schools’ fields, are free of costs to the students and the schools. The most outstanding students will be awarded trophies for Most Outstanding Player and Fair Play.
The Brewster Trust is a partner of Arsenal FC and the Gap Year Programmes 2010 to 2013. The Arsenal coaches in Barbados are Yasmin Anderson, Oore Ashaye, Paul Gutteridge and Philip Meier, who are staying with guest families.
The sessions will be conducted by two coaching teams, each with two coaches, assisted by teachers and PE instructors. Elements of the coaching programme include passing, dribbling, turns, control, heading, shooting and mini matches. (PR/SAT)
