The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Access Grassroots Programme successfully conducted its inaugural on-field session on Sunday with an impressive turnout of 65 enthusiastic young footballers at the St. Pius Ground in Georgetown.
The young participants from West La Penitence communities on October 22 engaged in a fun and interactive session that focused on teaching the fundamental aspects of football under the guidance of coaches Gordon Braithwaite, Dennis Hunte, Vibert Butts, Colin Tasher, Lloyd Smith and Troy Wright.
The Access Grassroots Programme is a new addition to the current national youth development initiatives, aimed at encouraging greater participation in football among boys and girls aged five to twelve, with special emphasis on inner city communities to ensure maximum participation.
GFF President Wayne Forde expressed satisfaction with both the turnout and the way in which the new grassroots coaches managed the eager group of children.
“We had a massive turnout of children from the age of five all the way up to 15 years old. We had all the coaches working in their groups and I believe it was a really good afternoon for the young boys and girls who came out today. I would have to say it’s probably the best day one could have expected for this programme.”
The top GFF official highlighted that the initiative is being piloted in Georgetown, but will subsequently be introduced nationwide with grassroots coaches receiving training in accordance with the guidelines established by the GFF Technical Department.
“The Georgetown leg will be the pilot, we are going to be monitoring it, evaluating it and really measuring the impact, but I know we have to roll this out as quickly as possible to other parts of the country.”
On Friday, October 20, the five new Access Grassroots Programme coaches officially signed their appointment letters and received essential equipment, including bibs, balls and cones, through the Member Assistance Financial Programme (M-FAP).
In early October, the five football stalwarts successfully completed an intensive workshop organised by the GFF Coaching Department which focused on national youth coaching philosophy and provided comprehensive instruction and guidance to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to become effective coaches and mentors for the Access Grassroots Programme.
The training session was led by GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph, Coaches Education Officer Lyndon France and Coach Mentor Linsworth Gilbert who covered several crucial topics, including child safeguarding, grassroots structure, technical development, the roles of grassroots players and coaches, and the importance of fostering a positive and inclusive environment.
On Sunday, during the first on-field session coaches had the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they had acquired over the last few weeks. Coach Dennis Hunte said the afternoon “was a success” and that he is looking forward to seeing more children “coming out (and) getting to understand the game so we can prepare for the future.”
Vibert Butts, who trained the eight to ten-year-old group, added that the youngsters had an enjoyable experience, and that “as the (programme) progresses then you employ systems.”
An important feature of the Access Grassroots Programme is the mobility of coaches who will travel between different venues to provide training in the essential skills to future football stars.
The current grassroots initiatives of the GFF are funded through M-FAP and consist of a diverse range of programmes, including the establishment of nine regional Academy Training Centers (ATC), the implementation of year-round grassroots programmes by Regional Associations, and support for various football clubs.
Under President Forde’s leadership, the administration remains committed to investing in the development of the grassroots ecosystem. This investment aims to provide young boys and girls with accessible opportunities to engage with the fundamental structure of football. (GFF Press Release)
