Published On:Wednesday, October 07, 2009

IN week four of the National Football League season, Leanne Gibbs and her family had an opportunity to experience their first NFL game in Kansas City, MO, with Chiefs wide receiver Devard Darling.

Winning the MVP of the Devard & Devaughn Darling Football Camp came with great perks. Not only did Leanne have the pleasure of bragging rights for a year, she and her family were treated to a trip to the US by Devard and the As One Foundation.

The young Bahamian athlete and her family visited the practice facility yesterday and had the opportunity to meet Chiefs head coach Todd Haley.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Devard Darling played host to the MVP of his summer football camp which is held every year in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The 13-year-old Gibbs and her family were treated to a Chiefs weekend of fun, October 2-5.

The camp's first female MVP experienced outings with Devard and his family, a meet and greet with Kansas City Chiefs players and coaches, a tour of the practice facility and Arrowhead Stadium.

On gameday, Gibbs and her family were given VIP seating and lunch served at the stadium while watching the game.

"I have attended the Devard & Devaughn Darling Football Camp for two years, but I never thought I could win MVP and actually travel to the United States to watch a game. It seems unreal to me," she said. "My mother encouraged me to come the first year and I had so much fun I couldn't wait to come back this year."

In her first real attempt at the sport, Gibbs said she came away from the camp with a greater understanding of the accompanying skills it takes to become a great athlete.

"I never played football before attending the camp I just wanted to try it. When they said my name for MVP I couldn't believe it, because I knew I wasn't the best player on the field, but this experience shows me sportsmanship is as important as being a good athlete."

The Devard & Devaughn Darling Football Camps are presented annually by the As One Foundation, a non-profit organisation created by Devard Darling in memory of his brother Devaughn.

The purpose of the camp is to encourage young Bahamian athletes to pursue their education and dreams of playing American football.

Campers learn invaluable skills and training in the game and receive free gifts, equipment and a chance to earn the title of Camp MVP.

To learn more about the As One Foundation or the Devard & Devaughn Darling Football Camps, please visit www.asonefoundation.org