Mercury to vie for First VP post in SVGFF’s elections

Kendale Mercury has declared his intention to contest the post of first vice-president, when the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation holds its elections November 21.{{more}}

Mercury outlined his programme to affiliates in his manifesto entitled: “Watering the football roots in order to bear fruits.”

As part of Mercury’s propagation process, he proposes to establish training centres at Arnos Vale One, Victoria Park and with permission, from the privately owned Buccament Bay Resorts.

“Here our players, both male and female, will be developed at Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and senior levels, training for four days per week to one National Philosophy,” the prospective first vice-president projected.

Additionally, if elected, Mercury plans to establish regional training centres and build on the existing club training academies where there are already established club centres.

Mercury’s manifesto detailed, “We will work with them to organize them professionally, and help them with equipment, coaching education and club administration… I will complete the Brighton training centre to become our elite national training centre…We will bring together the better players from all our national centres to form the base of all our national teams.”

And, according to Mercury, the referees would not be left out, as they will spend time on camp at the Brighton Centre as well, going through the six different development stages in football in order to become part of the world’s elite.

“I will make sure that we have a national playing philosophy across the board of every single national team… Establish an elite youth football league system at all ages…. establish a National Coaches Association … Encourage teams to become clubs and get registered as non profit organizations,” Mercury explained.

In terms of coaching education, Mercury, who also a UEFA licensed Football coach advanced, “I will continue to provide quality local coaching course for our coaches… I will also screen and select our most active coaches for coaching education courses abroad in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Germany and Holland to train in the areas of Football for Children, Youths and Adult, Goalkeeping, Fitness, Physiotherapy, Psychology and other areas.

“My target will be to have four international B-licensed coaches in the first year in office, with another two in each additional year, four international A-licensed coaches in our four years term, six goalkeeper coaches, three physiotherapists, four fitness coaches and one Sports Psychologist.” Mercury added.

The prospective first vice-president also intends to bring back integrity and trust to the sport by publishing all annual SVGFF financial audits in the local newspapers, make press releases on all income received by the SVGFF, as well as establish a local SVGFF ethics committee with the approval of the affiliates.

“Our football needs individuals with the training, knowledge and know-how in their respective fields in order to propel the game of the people to greater heights… My training in football coaching at the local, regional and international levels, doubled with my experience of coaching at the national level, regional club level and my international exposure to the professional football set-up make me the best person for this post…,” Mercury underscored.

“The fate is in the hands of all the affiliates on election day… When you vote for me, you are not just voting for an individual, you are voting for honesty, transparency, equality, for all, but most of all, you are voting for one of our great love: football!”, he concluded.

Mercury is a widely experienced football coach, locally having had stints with System Three, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-20, secondary schools and senior teams.

On his native Bequia, he has coached the Bequia United Football Club, as well as the Bequia League team.

He also was the assistant coach of Village United in the Jamaica Premier League.

Persons wishing to contact Mercury can do so at telephone number 784- 458-3730 or email: dalemercury@yahoo.com.