Coach Jamie Godbold, on his third and probably last visit to the island, said: “I had a great time personally but the kids were absolutely fantastic."
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- The 150 local youngsters and volunteer coaches involved in this year’s Grand Bahama soccer camp have won high praise from the three professionals who flew from the UK to lead the fun.
All three wrote to organisers to say how impressed by the enthusiasm of the kids – despite the 90 degree heat – and the way their skills in the sport have grown with each successive camp.
Their leader, Jamie Godbold, on his third and probably last visit to the island, said: “I had a great time personally but the kids were absolutely fantastic. The local coaches who gave up their time to help also showed in their sessions they had taken on board some of the key areas we exposed them to last year and as the week went on they got even better.”
First-timer Sarah Green, who specialised in the younger children, said: “I just wanted to say a big thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with some fantastic people, coaches & children. Everything and everyone was unbelievable. From the way the kids were organised to the way lunches were sorted out, I have never seen anything like it.”
Tom Hartley, who worked with the mid-teens, said: “It was what an absolute honour and privilege to come and coach at the soccer camp again this year. It was a great experience to spend the week working with the older groups, and felt very humbled from their approach to the game.
“When I asked them if they would like to go inside out of the heat and watch a World Cup game, as a group they made the decision, and I quote, said ‘We are at soccer camp, so are here to improve our skills, so maybe one day you can watch us in a World Cup.’
“That’s an attitude, I feel, that is excellent.”
The open-hearted generosity of a number of local businesses and a large number of private individuals meant that a record number of needy and deserving children were given free places this year. The former included: Argus Advisors, Bahamas Hotmix, Butlers’, Cafferata and Co, Columbus Communications, Crown Ice, G.B. Port Authority, GB Power Company, Millie’s Car Rental, NorthWestern, Paint Fair, Royal Star Insurance and Sanitation Services.
Lots of other companies helped with logistics including Antoni’s Pizza, Freeport Advertising, J. S. Johnson, Pelican Bay Hotel, Polymers International, and the Uniform Place.
The biggest supporter was former UK soccer club owner and GBPA chairman Sir Jack Hayward who the camp in now named after.“It was an outstanding week by any standard,” said organiser Richard Malcolm. “What made it so good was the unlimited enthusiasm of the children, who undoubtedly had a fantastic time."
