BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OUT of 35 promising footballers, four young men were selected after showcasing not only the most talent and skills but also discipline, at the recently held Digicel Kick Start Clinic (DKSC). They will travel to Trinidad for the Digicel Kick Start Academy (DKSA) from November 1-7.
Vinceroy Nelson, Wazim Howe, Evanceroy Barnes and Hassani Flemming were selected by former Liverpool and England football player and legend, John Barnes.
The DKSC was held for three days and began on Oct. 1 and ended Oct. 3, with exhibition games and a closing ceremony.
The clinic was facilitated by Barnes as this is the third time the clinic is being held in the Federation.
The four selected players will not only spend a week in Trinidad developing their skills and technical ability along with other players from the eight DKSC countries but according to Barnes, scouts for universities will be present and some of the footballers will have the opportunity to receive scholarships.
They will also be learning valuable life skills such as personal discipline and commitment – under the leadership of top Barclays Premier League coaches from the Sunderland Academy, assisted by John Barnes.
According to Jeanille Osbourne, Marketing Executive at Digicel, two wild card players were chosen from a Hot Shot competition which would afford players of the DKSC who were not chosen to go to the DKSA can compete in a goal scoring competition for a second chance to be chosen.
The participant who scores the most points from the competition is awarded admission to DKSA.
Barnes also took time to visit the students of the Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School while in St. Kitts where he encouraged them to stay in school and develop a good education.
Digicel also donated 20 footballs to the school.
A press conference was also held at the start of the clinic on Oct. 1, when Barnes, spoke to the young footballers about what will set them apart and said; “We all know that you have some level of footballing skill – that skill has won you your place in the Digicel Kick Start Clinics.
However, when making my selection for the Digicel Academy in Trinidad, the emphasis will be placed on your attitude and discipline for the sport.”
John Barnes is a Jamaican-born English football manager and former football player.
During his playing career, Barnes had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup twice, and playing for England 79 times (a former record for a black player). After a period at Newcastle United, he ended his playing career at Charlton Athletic in 1999.
