GFF, BSCNA first youth diaspora talent ID camp set for July in USA

Young players of Guyanese lineage who are residing overseas will have a chance to earn a spot in Guyana’s youth national training programme through the inaugural Diaspora Talent Identification Camp which will be held in July in the United States.

Organised by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Blackpool Sports Club of North America (BSCNA), the camp is tailored for youth players aged 14 to 19, and will be held from July 26 to 28 at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Orlando, Florida.

Registration for participation will be done via an online portal and the camp will be an immersive experience for young male and female players in the diaspora, featuring sessions specifically designed to identify and catalogue talent for Guyana’s national youth teams.

In 2023, GFF and BSCNA signed a historic three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pave the way for the creation of the GFF’s first International Player Scouting Network (IPSN) with a strategic focus on methodically pinpointing, enlisting and nurturing young footballers.

GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph shared that “we are excited to see the young talent in the diaspora. It is President Wayne Forde’s philosophy that the best talent that has Guyanese lineage should be afforded the opportunity to represent our nation.”

“This opportunity will provide further insight on what talent is available for our national player pool. We will catalogue that information and exploit it as practicable as possible along with our localised high-performance programme.”

Renaud Peters, President of BSCNA, noted: “In our ever-strengthening partnership with the GFF, the BSCNA is proud to play a pivotal role in the advancement of our beloved sport. As Guyana aims for greater heights in the global football arena, we are thrilled to redouble our efforts in the diaspora, working hand in hand with local talent to unlock the full potential of Guyanese football on the international stage. Together, we are poised to make significant strides towards excellence and recognition in the world of football.”

Established in 1960 in the United States by former members of the local youth team St. Sidwell’s Rovers, BSCNA is a prominent Guyanese football club committed to promoting and popularising Guyanese football within the diaspora community.