The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SJF) and local football development organization Ballaz International are pleased to partner with Scotiabank to offer a unique football for social impact training for up to 100 coaches island-wide this December.
The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SJF) and local football development organization Ballaz International are pleased to partner with Scotiabank to offer a unique football for social impact training for up to 100 coaches island-wide this December.
Both Jamaican organizations are thrilled to be working with Coaches Across Continents (CAC), an award-winning international organization with a proven track record in using football as a vehicle for social change in developing communities in over 20 countries. (For more information see http://coachesacrosscontinents.org/). CAC will teach local coaches new methodologies focusing on providing youth with a safe and fun learning environment using the beloved sport of football to experience new ideas and practice life skills and the making of healthy choices.
Speaking at the Press Launch held On Dec. 5th at the Spanish Court Hotel, SJF General Manager Dr. Rebecca Tortello explained, “We at the SJF are thrilled to be expanding the football for social impact methodology to coaches who will learn fun new ways to help youngsters develop problem solving skills by playing a sport they love.”
Local coaches who register for the programmes to be held Dec 11-14th in Kingston and 16th-19th in Montego Bay, will learn to apply football skills to real life situations such as making good decisions, setting goals, working on a team, resolving conflict peacefully, gaining confidence and playing with others of all abilities. All Jamaican participants will put their newly gained knowledge to the test when they train with children who represent a mix of income levels in Kingston and Montego Bay on the final day at each location.
Lead CAC Coach, Brian Suskiewicz, participating via a video link, shared how much he and his team are looking forward to working with local coaches to “implement our sport for social impact curriculum to help develop both football players and great leaders for Jamaica.”
Ballaz International, Founder/director, Andre Virtue, echoed Suskiewicz’ excitement about this partnership rooted in a shared mission of football as a tool for social impact: “as coaches, we accept the awesome responsibility of coaching not just the game of football but lives through football.” Scotiabank’s Manager of Sponsorships, Shelley Sykes-Coley added, “as a longtime supporter of the development of Jamaican youth football, this was a natural partnership for us as it adds an important element of social skill development to the popular sport.”
SJF President, H.E. Celsa Nuno, in her remarks, expressed satisfaction that the CAC programme has been endorsed by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). She also noted that it nicely complements the goals of the SJF funded Real Madrid Football School for Social Integration (RMFSSl) which began in St. James five years ago: “It is exciting to know that Jamaican coaches will have the chance to interact with the CAC coaching team which includes a US Female Olympic Gold Medalist and an award winning university football coach.”
Additional support for the coach-focused football or social impact programme has been provided by companies including RIU, Konnexx Services, Hy-Lite, Island Grill, The Spanish Court, WISYNCO, Event & Entertainment Services Limited and Mobay Hope/Hospiten.
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