The Tribune

Youth Empowerment through Soccer International (YESI) has expanded its reach to the Family Islands with its very first visit to Cat Island.

Founded by Happy Hall and Katie Thomas, the organisation held two clinics in the settlements of Port Howe and Devil’s Point in south Cat Island.

YESI and its volunteer mentors travelled around the island, visiting communities such as New Bight, Old Bight and Arthur’s Town, spreading awareness about the organisation and sharing its goals and its vision with the local residents there while distributing soccer balls, equipment, training information and other tools for the resident youth to be able to engage in structured sport and learn about soccer.

Locals were very accommodating to the YESI team, and both adults and the kids showed strong interest in the programme. Future plans for Cat Island include repeat visits to the settlements where clinics were held, to follow up on progress made.

YESI also plans to visit more settlements specifically in the northern area, where time constraints did not allow the visits on this trip. The organisation plans to hold more clinics and bring more of its donated soccer equipment to share with the local kids as well as setting up training programmes that will be guided by local adults that are interested in supporting the programme from a grassroots level in their own communities.

The Cat Island trip was a major stepping stone for YESI and allowed team members to learn about the problems that many Family Island communities face in terms of youth development and opportunities for youngsters in these communities.

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.

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