GFF exploring expansion of CONCACAF Next Play Programme
—Says Bryan Joseph
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday staged the CONCACAF Next Play Programme Festival at the National Training Center, Providence.
Nine primary schools featured in the pilot programme. They were St. Ann’s of Agricola, Sophia, Tucville (Georgetown), Friendship and Victoria (East Coast Demerara), Coomacka and St. Aiden (Linden), Blankenburg (West Demerara) and New Amsterdam (Berbice).
Bryan Joseph, Country Coordinator and GFF Technical Development Officer stated that the event was the culmination of the pilot programme which started in September 2019, adding that the schools worked once per week with the children and used the training methods to link the discipline with the previous social challenges experienced.
According to Joseph, “Today we brought them together and will use the opportunity to remind them of the previous discussions.”
He revealed that several schools have inquired about the expansion of the programme, which is an avenue that the GFF is exploring for the future.
He added, “The overall aim of the programme is to introduce new players to the game. Over 100 kids were directly impacted and the aim is to get players who are not involved with clubs into the club system.”
Asked what mechanisms have been created to ensure the players continue to participate in the sport, Joseph stated, “All the equipment will remain with the schools so that they can continue the programme. The GFF is also looking to expand the programme by providing training and more equipment.”
Also present at the festival were Technical Director Ian Greenwood and Technical Development Officer Lyndon France.