BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – It began as an idea, grew into reality and could very well produce some of the country’s most promising athletes.
Just last Saturday (Sept. 17), the Sandy Point Amateur Football Association (SPAFA) launched its Grassroots Programme at the New Sandy Point Recreation Grounds.
The programme runs on Saturdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and targets children between 6-12 years. Each Saturday, the children would make their way to the grounds where they will be taught the ins and outs of football.
The brainchild of the recently-installed executive body of SPAFA, the programme is designed to hone the football skills of the participants while instilling and or reinforcing in them the importance of specific morals and values which are characteristic of productive and upstanding members of society.
SPFA’s Public Relations Officer, Pastor Clive Saunders, explained that it has been 10 years since the Sandy Point community has organised a football league and in an attempt to revive love for the sport, the grassroots programme was launched.
He told this media house that following a recruitment exercise, in excess of 60 children attended for the opening and they are expected to be active participants in the programme.
Speaking of the benefits which the participants are expected to gain, Pastor Saunders said, “The children’s self confidence will be boosted because they will be involved in something that they can call their own. The programme will require that they be on time and develop discipline and it will involve them in things that are more positive rather than negative things.”
The programme will be executed by coaches Bergan and Codville Rogers and according to Saunders, sponsorship has already been acquired from community group Sandy Pointers Inspiring Real Improvement Throughout (SPIRIT), Carib Brewery and the St. Kitts Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) is expected to donate equipment shortly.
“There is still need for funding”, he however explained, inviting individuals and corporate citizens to support the worthy cause.
The programme is to continue indefinitely, and the Public Relations Officer informed that the ultimate goal of the programme is for “children to graduate to playing for the big leagues in Sandy Point, representing Sandy Point on a whole and improving the football landscape in the Federation.”
