Young footballers get valuable exposure

The Barbados Soccer Academy (BSA) Under-19 youth team after competing in the IMG Boys showcase in Florida during the third week of December last year, took the opportunity to enter an all-day ID camp that was hosted by Exact Sports.

The BSA chose seven players from its 25-member contingent, namely Roshon “ Speedy” Gittens, Lemar Catlyn, Akari Sydney, Jaiden Miller, Tanas Thorne, Shakielle Beckles and Jelani Chandler – selected as the best and the most senior players on the trip to participate in the camp.

Jabez “Jack” Bovell said that this camp was not part of the financial budget of the trip agenda before leaving Barbados, but when he heard of it, he asked God’s blessing on the budget to work a miracle, similar to how He provided meals for the children of Israel in the wilderness.

With his strong faith in God, he decided to enter and take the opportunity or risk to further expose the players. It was a fantastic opportunity to position the players in an environment for more scholarship opportunities.

Shakielle Beckles (in yellow) speaking to some of the USA contingent.

What made it a great opportunity was that this camp was held at the IMG stadium, the same venue as the showcase. The Barbados players interacted with twenty college and university coaches in the first two hours of the camp.

Players were interviewed by all the coaches, where they had to speak with confidence, acquire information on each respective coach, school, and find out what the coaches expected from them during the day based on the position that each footballer plays.

In the second half of the morning the 20 coaches conducted training sessions with all the players in six groups, where all the coaches were allowed to work with all groups. The coaches assessed the players on their skills, positioning of their bodies to see the entire field when receiving the ball, playing simple fitness, range of passing and their reaction whenever their teammates made mistakes.

The BSA players along with another 25 players from the USA went through a number of soccer drills. The evening session consisted of several 45-minute matches where the coaches monitored the players’ skills.

Jack Bovell (right) and Sam Morgan, Director of Exact Sports ID camp.

At the end of the camp, the coaches provided an overall rating out of five stars and skill set overview out of 100 on technical ability, tactical ability and mental ability on the four pillars of football. In addition, the coaches reviewed players on their attitude on the field of play, work rate, ability to pass the ball, to view the field well, shooting ability and first touch.

Bovell met with Sam Morgan, Director of the ID Exact Sports and discussed the creation of a strategic relationship where both organizations could share their core competencies, including hosting an ID camp in Barbados. (PR)