2013 Digicel Chelsea Football Academy launched in Barbados

Yesterday, November 11, marked the opening of the 2013 Digicel Chelsea Football Academy, in which 39 of the region’s top young footballers will receive a week-long training experience given by some the world’s best youth coaches from the Chelsea Football Club Foundation.{{more}}

Having come through several rounds of trials, culminating in the Digicel Kick Start Clinics earlier this year, these boys have been hand-picked to take part in the Academy by the Chelsea FC coaches themselves and, as such, are some of the region’s top young footballers. This week, they will experience what life is like in the Chelsea Academy as they are put through their paces in morning and afternoon sessions, culminating in a round robin tournament on Saturday.

Chelsea FC Foundation international development manager Ian Woodroffe said: “On behalf of Chelsea FC Foundation, we are delighted to be joining with Digicel again in the second year of our three- year partnership. For our part, even over the course of one year, we have seen real development in the focus on football in the region and that is what makes it worthwhile for us. This region is brimming with talent and together with Digicel, we want to make sure the structure is there for these potential stars of the future to get noticed.”

Digicel Group head of Sponsorship James Wynne said: “As part of our commitment to the development of football throughout the region, we are thrilled to be bringing together the region’s top young footballers for this week-long programme of world class coaching. We hope to deliver a great life experience for these boys. They hail from many different counties and cultures, but football is universal and here at the Academy they will have an opportunity to work together to hone their skills and develop as individuals.”

The Digicel Chelsea Football Academy takes place from Monday November 11, through Saturday, November 16, at the Kensington Oval. Members of the public are welcome to visit the Academy on November 15 and 16 to watch the coaches and players in action. Entry is free for everyone.