Norman?Forde, the most capped and arguably the most skilful player in the country, has just completed a one-week coaching stint in Bermuda that earned him $6 000.
Forde, the Barbados captain and midfield general, is back home after supervising a one-week Easter summer camp in Hamilton.
“It was a tremendous and rewarding experience. There is plenty of talent in Bermuda and I was just thrilled to work with the kids out there. It was very well organized and that made my stint a lot easier,” said Forde, a member of the national side since he was 17.
Forde, who turns 34 at monthend (April 30), told MIDWEEK?SPORT that he worked with 15 promising juniors aged between five and 12.
“There are plans for me to return there in August and every chance I will be taking along another Barbadian with me. That coaching assignment will be of a longer duration,” he added.
Plans were put in place for the coaching session last November when Forde was on national duty in Bermuda. It was organized by Taliba Branch, whose father John Branch is Barbadian.
Guiding youth is nothing new for Forde, who has more than 120 national caps. He dictates the strategy for Roland Edwards Primary in the BICO Tournament and has worked with Pro Shottas’ under-11 developmental team.
Just before departing for Bermuda, Forde, the 2008 Footballer Of The Year, was the architect behind reigning champions Youth Milan notching their first victory of the season, a comprehensive 5-2 blitz of Pinelands.
A key part of the Milan puzzle has been attacking midfielder Dwayne “Boots” Griffith. His partnership with Forde and the experienced Kenroy Skinner has turned Milan’s hopes around and they are looking like title challengers again.
In their last outing, Milan minus Forde and an injured Skinner, rolled over Paradise 2-0.
Milan now have seven points and Forde is confident they can finish the first round on 16 points with victories over newcomers Dayrells Road, Brittons Hill and Notre Dame.
“Brittons Hill and Notre Dame are no push-overs but we are now getting in stride and nothing less than victory will do,” he said. St Lucy-based Youth Milan are highly favoured to cruise past Dayrells Road on Friday night.
A product of Half Moon Fort, St Lucy, Forde spent one highly successful season at Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame, helping them to the double crown of the Digicel Premier League and Banks Knockout Cup.