The Tribune

THREE top young coaches from the United Kingdon are already signed up for this year’s Sir Jack Hayward Soccer Camp in Grand Bahama in June.

Chloe Brown, Mike Gilham and Joe Tomlinson will be ready to launch the week-long event on Monday, June 20, at 9am. Though they are only 26, 27 and 31 respectively, each has years of experience professionally coaching kids in the camp’s target age range, Tomlinson starting when he was just 17.

Between them they bring specialist knowledge such as goalkeeping good practice as well as general soccer skills, and all have a particular interest in using sport for character building, including not just learning how to win but also how to lose graciously.

“We have had some great visiting coaches over the 12 years of the camp’s existence but I genuinely think this year’s group will prove to be the best yet because of their blend of different talents and high levels of coaching qualifications,” said Derek Archer, one of the camp organisers.

It will be held as usual at the East Settlers Way playing fields of Freeport Rugby and Football Club and will feature the customary six hours of sporting fun and games each day with lunch included, and the traditional two sets of camp uniform handed out the weekend before activities begin.

The coaches are already laying plans for the week.

“The trip sounds awesome and thanks so much for giving us the chance to work with Bahamian kids.

“I am really looking forward to it,” Gilham said. 

Each year the coaches work with well-known local soccer figures, Mary Woodside and Mark Hardy, chief coaches of girls’ and boys’ programmes on the island, to tailor a programme suited to existing skill levels of the campers and the likely age break down. 

The result is an exciting and great value package which consistently beats many camps in the US, let alone in the Bahamas, said Archer.

Registration forms are available at the rugby club (evenings) and at Town and Country, Yellow Pine Street, Freeport, as well as from a number of local websites. 

“June may seem a long way off but the summer is when a lot of people head off the island for vacations elsewhere and now is the time for parents and youngsters to ink the dates into their calendars so no one misses this great opportunity,” Archer said.