Ballaz Int'l, iSOCCER team up

This is the first Caribbean-based collaboration with a football academy for iSoccer, a revolutionary programme that motivates players of all ages and abilities worldwide to improve their technical skills through the application of web technology and competitive learning to drive positive results.

Through a specific quantitative assessment that diagnoses players' technical strengths and weaknesses, then provide them with the tools to improve, the online community creates a forum for healthy competition based on a standardised levelling system, customisable and downloadable training sessions and video challenges that motivate, educate, and inspire players to improve proficiency.

"We're thrilled to be working with such a like-minded organisation and very excited to establish our first partnership with a football academy in Jamaica as well as the Caribbean," said Scott Leber, iSoccer's CEO and founder.

"Ballaz's dedication to player development through individual ownership of, and dedication to, ball mastery ties directly to iFootball's methodology of motivating the individual player to spend more time with the ball. Also, teaching life lessons through the game of football is a big part of what iFootball does and Ballaz International clearly strives for the same goals," Leber added.

André Virtue, CEO and founder of Ballaz, says this iSoccer partnership is a strategic step as Ballaz enhances its suite of services that at present includes varied levels of training programmes for three- to 17-year olds.

"Both organisations share a common commitment to football excellence and by twinning their methodologies with ours, Ballaz will offer greater value-added training experiences to our participants," Virtue pointed out.

Thousands assisted

In operation since 2002, Ballaz has assisted more than 6,000 youth in communities across Jamaica - including inner-city areas in Kingston - to improve their game.

Virtue expects this collaboration with iSoccer to ultimately help advance the level of the sport in Jamaica.

"Ballaz was founded under the principle of changing the world one goal at a time by equipping youth to perform at their ultimate best on the football field and in general life situations. We believe iSoccer is the perfect medium through which we can further innovatively challenge youngsters to realise their fullest potential, develop what is often an innate talent for the game, and eventually raise the standards of football throughout the country."

Developing techniques

In addition to improving players' performances, iSoccer focuses on developing coaching techniques.

Virtue also expects the quality of his coaching team to be raised by their participation in the iSoccer programme.

He said: "The iSoccer module is designed to help coaches create a culture of complete development that involves committing to testing players at least every three months and making technical training fun."

In addition to its football focus, Ballaz has established a charitable organisation - the Ballaz Foundation - that provides needy students with school essentials to aid in their pursuit of academic excellence, and funds players' participation in its developmental programmes.