Young footballers get chance to showcase talent

By Morissa Lindsay

Some of the best football players from Barbados have travelled over the weekend to compete at the 2022 Free Kick Foundation U19 Youth Cup competition currently ongoing at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia.

The combined team is called Bim United comprising players from clubs that fall under the Barbados Football Association umbrella such as the University of the West Indies Blackbirds, Kickstart Rush, Fitts
Village, Pro Shottas, Whitehall Football Academy (WFA) and United Stars Alliance. They departed the island on Sunday for the July 24th to August 3rd tournament.

Bim United is led by captain Thierry Jones and vice-captain Jacob Bishop who are expected to lead a quality squad in their four preliminary matches in Group B of the tournament.

While it was Whitehall Academy who had initially received the invitation to participate, they decided to extend the offer as well to other local member clubs on the island which is seen as a national youth development venture.

The delegation for the inaugural tour consists of four officials and 18 players led by the head of the delegation Christian Renwick, team manager and medic Ryan Hunte, team coach Giancarlo Cobham and logistics manager Lisa Daisley.

General Secretary of Whitehall Football Academy, Simeon Alsopp, spoke on behalf of the group and explained that this was a wonderful opportunity that has significant benefits for this country’s young upcoming players.

“Our main objective is to assist these young athletes with opportunities, through which they can secure professional football contracts or gain academic and football scholarships. This tournament will provide players from all corners of the globe, with an opportunity to showcase their talent, skills and technical ability, in the presence of recruiting coaches from USA colleges and universities.

“Club scouts from European clubs will also be present. Clubs from the other countries, which Barbadian teams aren’t privileged to compete against, will be participating in this showcase. Preparations for this journey were held at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex and the National Sports Council’s Bow Road Facility, Waterford Road, St. Michael on Sunday and Thursday evenings.

“Collectively, our clubs’ ultimate goal is to provide our young players with a cost-effective opportunity annually; to be able to secure a professional contract and scholarships, through this initiative, in our continuous desire to help our nation’s youth,” Alsopp said. This trip would not have been made possible without the support of parents, guardians and corporate Barbados who stepped in and contributed as well as Ministers Colin Jordan and Edmund Hinkson, Members of Parliament for St. Peter and St. James North who both made donations.

To alleviate some of the travel costs, corporate sponsors such as Sagicor General Insurance Inc, Guardian Life, RBTT Bank, WIBISCO, Neighbourhood Care Pharmacy, Kings and Queens Bar and Amp Restaurant, Allure Chic, Couture and Rotisserie City made the trip possible. morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb