The second Annual Scotia Bank/Pepsi Schools Football Academy will get cracking today with a three-day coaching course to be conducted by United States-based coach Stanley Harmon at the Ministry of Education Sports Club on Carifesta Avenue.
The course, which runs until Wednesday, will attract teachers and coaches of the 12 schools listed to take part in the academy.
Starting time is 09:00 hours each day.
The academy will also include a Referees Course for students of the competing schools.
There has been an increase in the number of schools participating this year with four schools expected to make their debut bringing the number to 12.
Colin Baker, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said his committee was currently in discussions with Charlestown Secondary, St. Stanislaus College, Central High and Bishop’s High to be a part of the programme.
They are expected to join North Georgetown Secondary, Tucville Secondary, Queen’s College, Christ Church, Tutorial High, East Ruimveldt Secondary, St. George’s Secondary and St. Joseph’s High.
Baker said that last year’s academy was a resounding success and expectations are high for this year’s programme.
“ We are looking this year to expanding the schools’ football league, creating a school league for both male and female players in Guyana, improve the level of coaches in schools and to provide more rounded footballers for the national pool selection as well as to create a cadre of future referees,” he added.
Key stakeholders include the ministries of Education and Sports, Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), the US-based Guyana Sports Development Foundation (GSDF) and the participating schools.
FIFA Referees Instructor Lawrence “Sparrow” Griffith will then conduct a three-day referees’ programme for participating schools.
The tournament phase of the programme is expected to kick off during the first week in March.
Baker expressed gratitude to Scotia Bank and Demerara Distillers Ltd. through its Pepsi Brand and other key stakeholders for coming on board once again this year.
The organizing committee comprises Baker, Stan Harmon, Charmaine Wade, Lawrence Griffith, Lindley Langhorne, Gordon “Ultimate Warrior” Braithwaite, T. H. Peters and George Rutherford.
