The Tribune

KADICIA Babb, Cameron Chandler, Courtni Pinder and Donte Singh are about to head out on the sporting trip of a lifetime after being selected by the visiting United Kingdom coaches for the top prize at this year’s Sir Jack Hayward Soccer Camp.

The quartet’s all-round contribution at the camp in Freeport last month won them a two-day all-expenses paid trip to the final of the Guinness Cup in Miami on Monday. They will enjoy all the razzmatazz and then watch two of the most famous soccer clubs in the world play for the prestigious trophy.

The group, who were chosen for their enthusiasm, good attitude and all-round effort, will be escorted by Mary Woodside and Donnie Knowles, founders and head coaches of the Girls Developmental Soccer League whose 300-plus players form the most successful youth sports organisation on Grand Bahama.

Jenna Martin, Robbie Pringle and Abbie Sadler, the full-time professional youth coaches from the Football Association in London who led a big group of local assistant coaches at the camp, praised the four for their application and whole-hearted approach which made them stand out from the 150 children who took part.

The Guinness Cup will be contested by the two survivors of a US-wide knockout tournament involving three English clubds - Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool - Real Madrid, Italian sides AC Milan, Internazionale and Roma and Olympiakos, the Greek champions. The Miami trip is thanks to the generosity of the Barclays English Premier League (EPL), the competition won by Manchester City last season.

The EPL, the most-watched professional sports competition in the world, was the major sponsor in the first few years of the camp, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. It also helped fund a major pitch expansion at Freeport Rugby and Football Club (FRFC), host of the camp, a few years ago.

The Miami trip will be an early birthday present for Courtni, who will turn 12 five days before the game. She has just graduated primary school at LIS and starts grade seven next month. Cameron and Donte are 12 and are about to enter grade eight, Cameron at LIS and Donte at BMES.

Kadicia, 11, is going into grade seven at BMES and only able to attend the camp because she did so well in grade six and her parents wanted to reward her.

FRFC president Rob Speller, who helped organise the camp, praised the EPL contribution to sport on the island. “The League’s impact over the years has been huge and this latest support, for which we are enormously grateful, has really captured the imaginations of the kids. These four youngsters did really well and are worthy winners. We are so pleased they are making the trip.”

Close to 150 children participated – the most popular summer camp on Grand Bahama – and enjoyed top-class professional coaching as well as other goodies including two full sets of top quality uniform.

The four will spend two nights in Miami and will enjoy a fun programme in addition to the Guinness Cup final, including a trip to Miami Zoo and some shopping.