Football leaders hail Flow/ESPN clinic

President of the Trelawny Football Association, Linnel McLean and Westmoreland Football Association boss Everton Tomlinson, have both expressed pleasure with the recent staging of the Flow/ESPN Caribbean Football Clinic for young players and coaches, which took place at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, last weekend.

The clinic, which was conducted by world-renown football stars, former Reggae Boy Robbie Earle, Frenchman Frank Leboeuf, Trinidad and Tobago's Shaka Hislop and Russell Latapy, and Nigerian Uche Okafor, saw the participants going through a number of skill and technique sessions geared at improving their game and strengthening the quality of football locally, especially in western Jamaica.

"This should definitely have a significant impact on the development of football in the region because it gives the local coaches the opportunity to rub shoulders with international footballers and international coaches," said McLean.

"I am impressed by what I have seen and I know that not far from now Jamaica will increase in the performance as it relates to the sport, so we are looking for some great things and some great talents to come out," explained Tomlinson.

Relationships and communication

The clinic, which was organised by Whole Life Ministry Sports' André Virtue, in conjunction with the sponsors, had approximately 100 students and 40 coaches taking part.

"What is unique about this clinic is that we are very determined to keep the relationships and communication active even after the two days' experience," said Flow's director of marketing, Sharon Roper.

"As such Flow is using the technology along with ESPN to keep the children connected with their international footballers.

"So in between visits - the clinics will happen again - we will be connected by Internet and video conferencing and the coaches to the kids," she added.

ESPN Caribbean and Maritime Media vice-president, Bernard Stewart, in the meantime, expressed that the event was geared towards bonding with sporting enthusiasts in Jamaica, and the region in general.

"I think most important for us, it gives us the opportunity to connect with sporting community and sports fans in Jamaica," said Stewart.

"We would like people to understand who we are and what ESPN really stands for. We would like them to think of ESPN as a neighbour sitting next to you on the sofa having a conversation with you about a whole variety of sports."