Football camp puts team first

Andrew Harris, Gleaner Intern

'Together everyone achieves more' is the theme for the Ballaz International 1st Touch Football Camp.

The two-week camp, in its 10th year of existence, is now on at Jamaica College on Old Hope Road, and is under the leadership of the school's old boy and former Jamaica junior international, André Virtue.

The ages of the campers range from 4-6 and 7-16, and the camp is broken down into three groups: little footballers, ages up to six, junior footballers, ages 7-12, and big footballers, ages 12-16.

Main focus of the camp is to develop the 128 campers through teamwork, hence the theme 'together everyone achieves more.'

"Regardless of the fact that the individual talent is key, we want the kids to leave here thinking and understanding the importance and value of a team," said Virtue.

The camp is open to everyone in the above age groups and attract a fee of $17,500, but the camp directors also sponsor 30 spaces, which are given to the communities of Arnett Gardens, August Town and Mountain View.

"In order for us to give back, we have 30 spaces that we give as sponsorship, and it is through our relationship with three main communities - Arnett Gardens, August Town and Mountain View," he said.

Virtue hopes to change the attitude and approach of the campers to the game, so every day there is a different sub-theme to support the main theme in order to complement the game of football.

change attitude

The name 1st Touch is to underline the fact that the first touch the campers make on the football should be worth it.

"The name 1st Touch is to say that the first touch on the football should be very good, and we aim to change their attitude and approach to the game. We have broken down the camp into daily sub-themes, like communication, unity, and theme building, and it complements the football stuff they will be learning," said Virtue.

The camp started on August 9 and will end on August 20.