The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Youth Empowerment through Sports International (YESI) has embarked on a new initiative with a local primary school, as it continues its mandate of using the game of soccer to impact the community at large.

YESI has partnered with Gambier Primary to re-energize its soccer programme and has now stepped into a major role to fill the void of a vacant physical education programme.

The group, founded by former professional player and national team standout Happy Hall, officially announced the launch of the partnership during a special assembly on the school’s campus yesterday. The Gambier Soccer Programme is scheduled to open October 1, targeting several segments which include: Academy Level Training; Club - Level Training and Competition; Recreational Soccer; Coaching Education and Training.

The programme will also include an educational field which includes Specialized Tutoring Services, English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses, and an Academic Summer Programme.

Sheniqua Curry, principal of Gambier Primary, said the programme could not come along at a more opportune time for the students.

“Mr Hall approached the school about us working together in the past, and when we told him there was a problem coming into this academic year with a lack of PE instructors, he took it upon himself and his group to ensure that  the children would still have an athletic outlet. So they have taken full command of that area several days per week” she said. “The soccer programme was once abundant about five years ago but it has since fallen out of favour somewhat, now we see this as a revival.”

Curry said that YESI has added a new level of enthusiasm in the school for the students, many of whom would have their first opportunity to participate in organised sports.

“We are excited about it. It is something that will benefit the kids for a long time and for much more than soccer but will impact them as well-rounded individuals. The programme will help them to establish great self discipline, self esteem and character as they progress as student athletes,” she said. “It’s an exciting time for the children and as the fields were being cleared away today they know that starting on Monday they will have an opportunity to get out there and to begin.”

YESI will provide a variety of levels of soccer activity and training to the children, from the recreational level to elite “academy” level training up to 12-year-olds.

“Since this is YESI Soccer Academy’s first year,  the focus will be on children ages seven-and-under and nine-and-under in the academy’s elite programme. Allowing for a slightly less demanding schedule for the young children in the apprentice programme, the academy programme will require training three days a week, and will include skill clinics, technical training, tactical training, and controlled scrimmages, among other things.

“This cohort of children will continue to be trained until 2015 and beyond, so that eventually, the academy programme will expand to include older children,” the YESI executive board said in a press statement. “In this first year, again in order to focus its resources, YESI Academy will field competitive co-ed club level teams at the U-7, U-9 age groups. It remains possible that higher age group teams will be fielded with co-op clubs who have partnered with YESI to take in the older players. These teams will include both players training at the academy-level, and players who aspire to do so but have yet to reach the level of dedication required for that training.

The recreational aspect of the programme “will focus on providing young children with the opportunity to play soccer for pure enjoyment, with some limited training mixed in. The summer soccer camps will provide the youths with a healthy way to spend their day, the street soccer tournaments will be a monthly source of passion and anticipation, and the supervised “pick-up” games will present just a wholesome activity for after-school hours.”

Thus far, YESI has donated footwear and equipment to the students in preparation for the programme’s launch.

According to Hall, it is YESI’s vision to offer skills training and mentorship to shape young Bahamians into disciplined and productive individuals that are eligible for scholarship opportunities and pursuing sport on a professional level.

Sponsors for the team at Gambier included Twisted Lime Sports Bar and Grill, Mahogany House Restaurant and Ports International Ltd, Lyford Cay School and Chrissy Hennesy and Stephanie Allen who spearheaded the Tom’s Shoe drive which collected 80 new pairs of shoes for Gambier and Childrens Emergency Hostel through YESI.

For more information on YESI - donations, programmes and how to get involved - visit the group on Facebook, or visit www.yesisoccer.com