The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas All-Pro Football camp hosted its second edition of the youth training at Thomas A Robinson stadium this past Saturday.

The event saw the youth between the ages of 7-18 train with National Football League (NFL) professional players in a series of different drills designed to show them the basic football fundamentals.

Among some of the NFL players at the camp were Bahamian wide receiver Michael Strachan, Los Angeles Chargers’ Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and John Hightower, Miami Dolphins Cedrick Wilson Jr and Duke Riley, safety Dayarlo Jamal Swearinger, and the Arizona Cardinals’ Rashad Fenton.

Alexandra Deal, head of administration for the Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL), said the camp went great for the second year and the kids were loving it.

“It’s doing great we have a lot of kids that came out which was a little more than we expected which is great. I think they are really enjoying it because some of them already play in the youth flag league so they are seeing different techniques,” Deal said.

She added that the older kids were loving the All-Pro camp because they got the opportunity to improve some of the skills that they currently have.

At this year’s camp more than 100 participants were divided between six football training stations. Training included flag pulling, receiving drills, footwork drills, quarterback drills, backpedaling and sprint exercises.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Strachan hosted his own football camp in his hometown, Freeport on June 22.

It was an inaugural free event that he followed up by attending the Bahamas All-Pro Football camp for the second consecutive year. He said it felt great to be back and train with the youth.

“It feels great and is a great feeling to see all of these kids out here ready to work and ready to learn and it’s so exciting because that’s what brings me joy and motivation to see the youth, especially having been in their position, it is a blessing,” he said.

He added that the camp is very beneficial for aspiring football players because they can understand the basic fundamentals of the game, and can be more hands-on as they learn the skills.

Strachan also said the camp in Grand Bahama went great and it was a blessing to be able to give back and train with the young ones at home.

With the All-Pro Football camp being in its second year, the camp was filled with many first time participants and also a few returning participants.

Among the newcomers were Malique Wallace and Liam Lloyd. They both described the camp as very enjoyable.

“It’s fantastic everyone seems to be focused and I love that there are different age groups, the younger kids are learning at an earlier age and for everyone that doesn’t have the experience, they get to learn the basics,” Wallace said.

Lloyd said he had a great time at the camp and was happy to see actual NFL players and also was happy to attend because he wants to play in NFL Flag as a career.

Overall, both young men said they learned that being focused is key and would definitely recommend the camp to others.

Jayden Deal, a two-time All-Pro participant, said he was excited to attend the camp because of the potential scholarship opportunities.

He also learned how to run routes and did some speed training.

The Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) and other event organisers are looking forward to the return of this event next year as it continues to get bigger and better.