BSA launches grassroots programme

The Barbados Soccer Academy (BSA) will be launching its grassroots soccer programmes initiative in a matter of weeks, as the 20-yearold organisation continues building towards its goal of impacting young Bajans by helping them attain college and university scholarships as well as professional football contracts.

The grassroots initiative will get underway on Sunday January 19th at Trent’s Playing Field in Holetown, St James, with further activity to be held at strategic locations throughout Barbados catering to boys and girls aged 4-16. The programmes will focus on skills, coordination, balance, footwork, speed, agility, and academic studies.

Jabez Bovell, director of the BSA, is a former senior vice president of the Barbados Football Association (BFA) and has managed youth teams at various levels. He praised the National Sports Council for providing facilities at Passage Road, Trents, Speightstown, and Blemheim to train its members over the years.

At its core, the philosophy of BSA Soccer’s grassroots pathway initiative is Play-Practice- Play, a philosophy coaches learn about in the Introduction to Grassroots coaching module.

This approach will focus on the player experiencing and learning through play while also empowering the coach to support his or her player’s learning Grassroots soccer refers to the basic level of soccer played at the community level, often involving players who are new to the sport or just starting out in their soccer journey. One unique aspect of grassroots soccer is its focus on skill development. Unlike professional or elite soccer, where the emphasis may be on winning and competition, grassroots soccer prioritizes the growth and improvement of players’ individual skills.

The BSA will explore key takeaways from grassroots soccer as the starting point where young players learn basic techniques, form connections with teammates, and develop a passion for soccer. By emphasising both skill and character development, grassroots soccer sets the stage for future success on and off the field.

The BSA is a well established Academy, founded in 2004, with active teams from Under-6 to Under-21. (PR)