Budding 'ballers' learn basic skills at camp

Robert Bailey, Sunday Gleaner Writer

More than 95 youngsters participated in yesterday's eighth annual staging of the Junior Strikers Sports Academy end-of-year football camp which was held on Shortwood Road in St Andrew.

The youngsters, who were between the ages of eight and 13, were drawn from The Queen's Prep, Shortwood Junior High and a combined Junior Strikers invitational team.

Damion McFarlane, organiser of the event, said the camp was very beneficial for all participants.

"This is the time of year when this camp is organised. It is intended to bring the kids together to meet and greet each other in a fun environment," said McFarlane.

"We taught the kids the basic skills of the game, which include control and passing," he said. McFarlane added that the youngsters were also taught certain technical aspects of the game, such as how to become a good sportsman, both on and off the field.

"At the camp, we also help to turn the youngsters into leaders," McFarlane said.

He added: "We divided the kids into two groups and picked a captain for each group, and the captains were in charge of their group on the field of play. This allowed the coaches to just sit on the sidelines and watch games."

McFarlane was assisted by Peter Daley, coach of Queen's Prep and Denard Chambers, coach of Junior Strikers.