From childhood friends, to business partners, former national players Andre Virtue and Gregory Simmons are both on a mission to develop the sport of football.
From childhood friends, to business partners, former national players Andre Virtue and Gregory Simmons are both on a mission to develop the sport of football.
Virtue who is the mastermind of the Valnceia Camp and Ballaz International, merged with Simmons and his organization – Own Touch – from Richmond Virginia to merge both Jamaican and American young talents together.
The two day clinic which concluded on Monday July 22 in Drax Hall, St. Ann saw almost a hundred local and overseas kids participating and Simmons says it’s a dream come true.
“Andre and I have been talking about this for quiet sometime, it’s been our passion for years and now it’s a reality so this is not just the first but there will be more to come.”
Virtue added that he is hopeful that this camp will build friendships just like his and Gregory.
“Well this camp really is a product of our friendship, he has his camp I have mine and now the dream is for these kids to build relationships with each other and create lasting friendships, hence the title “Bridging the Gap.”
When asked why the focus on youth football Virtue stated,
“You know when you talk about development, you have to start with the foundation, the building blocks, Greg and I, when we were young, had our parents pushing and motivating us so, it’s our turn to give back as parents to these kids”
The clinic was just the first stop for the Own Touch Academy, who now move to Negril to refurbish a school they adopted but with a vast majority traveling to Jamaica for the first time, Virtue says he saw it fit to hold the clinic in Ocho Rios.
“Why Ochi? well accommodations and access to sights, despite this being a journey for football purposes it’s also for them to appreciate and enjoy Jamaica so it was a perfect fit.
Attending the camp was St Ann FA president Danny Beckford who was pleased with the clinic.
“When you hit the nail on the head, this is the right age group, the kids got, shin guards boots and such, so I’m real elated and happy, it is help like this, these kids need”
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