Nearly 100 boys and girls took part in a week-long football camp that concluded on July 7, 2017 at the East End/Long Look Stadium site. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

BVI Football Association (BVIFA) President, Andy Bickerton speaks to football coaches. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Nearly 100 Boys and Girls had taken part in the Camp, the first in a projected long-term partnership with the England based company that has ties with many Professional Clubs and a proven track record in getting players on pathways to careers in the game.

Dan Neville, one of the visiting Coaches, was very impressed with what he had seen. “The pitch is amazing,” he said. “When you use grass it wears out, but this artificial surface has made things perfect. The youngsters, too, showed great attitude, the willingness to try new things and the commitment, even at the end of the long hot days they are still raring to go. They have been great to Coach.”

Bright future

Going forward Neville foresaw a great partnership with teams coming out of the VI and players from here travelling to England for further coaching and even the chance of being “spotted” by Scouts from Clubs.

The BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton, was also very impressed with the ways things had gone. “It has been tremendous to see so many youngsters coming out every day and it has been a wonderful opportunity for them. The attitude has been very positive and if we can maintain this and build upon the achievements then the player pathway to senior levels will be there.”

Bickerton also noted that the Coaches from England had said there had been a tremendous improvement in the technique of the Boys and Girls. “Now we have this facility and youngsters have a good surface to play on and we maintain our programmes, then, although we have a way to go to catch up with other countries, the future will be bright.”

At the end of the Presentation of Certificates, the players of the week were chosen and they were presented with a pack of “Laceys”, which are a new product designed to help keeping boot laces in place.

The winners were Tola Broderick, Luka Chalwell, Guillaume Parkins and Miquel Marshall.