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Aug 15, 2015 Sports

Sampson Gilbert (extreme r) and Mark Young (extreme l) join the group of jubilant children for a photo opportunity during a break in training sessions yesterday afternoon.
The August holiday period is the longest of the school breaks and usually present lots of spare time for children. For this reason, parents, anxious to provide productive activity for their children, would enroll them in productive activities that not only soaks up their spare time but also aids in their development outside of the academic realms.
It is with such ideas in mind that the Guyana Football Coaches Association organized a youth clinic/developmental camp to foster all round development of youths, while keeping them on the safe side of the law. Activities got underway at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Ground, Carifesta Avenue, on August 10 and will culminate August 21 next. Football Coach Sampson Gilbert is in charge of the sessions and he has more than 50 children under his tutelage.
When Kaieteur Sport visited the venue yesterday afternoon, Mr. Gilbert was engaged with the youngsters, taking them through their paces on the field. He said that the early stages of the programme were highly successful and already the children were taken on an escorted field trip to the National Museum. He said that the early period of the clinic exposed the children to three basic aspects of the game, running, striking and receiving.
Mr. Gilbert further said that plans are in train to introduce the children to various topics aimed at development in specific areas. These include techniques in resolving conflict situations amicably, issues on domestic violence and anger management. Mr. Gilbert further elaborated on expected outcomes from training techniques, “These techniques are player centered approaches that focus on growth maturation, development and trainability,” he said.
Several other facilitators are expected to visit the venue and hold clinics on varying topic associated with football as well as personal development issues. These persons include Assistant National Coach, Wayne Dover, Joseph Wilson, Dennis Hunte and Compton Bishop. The coach is confident that at the end of the programme participants would have gained valuable knowledge that would stand them in good stead in the pursuit of a wholesome life. According to Mr. Gilbert, “The aim is to foster holistic improvement in football and other meaningful skills while creating a passion for the game.”
At the end of the sessions, participants will receive certificates, but even before that, two teams will be formulated from among them and they will compete in a football game. This will also allow organizers to assess the knowledge gained from the training sessions.
Several sponsors have combined to make the programme a success including Mark Young of Suppligen Sports Desk, Express Shipping, Peter Phillips, Perry’s Trucking, NC Contracting Services, Guinness Bar, Tagman, the GFF and Chase Academy.
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