- July, 22 2010 -
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Thursday, July 22nd 2010 – Port of Spain, Trinidad: The first leg of the Digicel Kick Start Clinics 2010 drew to a close yesterday and former England and Liverpool legend and Head Coach, John Barnes, spoke exclusively to www.digicelfootball.com about his first impressions on this year’s crop of talented footballers.
“It’s going well – the boys are all under 16 so they’re young, but that doesn’t stand in the way of the quality. We have the two best players from each club in the Digicel Pro League which means we have a lot of talent taking part in these Clinics.
“Monday was the first day and we started off with some general training – some passing and work on their touch and control so that I got a chance to observe them. Then yesterday I put the boys into two squads and they played a match which gave me a real opportunity to see what we have in terms of potential to go and train with Sunderland which was great.
“I don’t want to mention names at this stage – but yes, I have spotted a couple of talented boys, with one boy in particular who I think shows promise. But there are three more countries and three more groups of passionate young footballers all wanting a chance, so we’ll have to wait and see,” continued Barnes.
The next stop for the Digicel Kick Start Clinics is Panama where 29 boys – who were drawn from a selection of 200 – will try out for their chance to train for one week at UK Premier League Club, Sunderland AFC’s Academy of Light. The Clinics take place in Panama this Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th July.
The Digicel Kick Start Clinics are supported by Jack Warner, Vice President of FIFA and President of both CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union.
Digicel has been involved in a wide range of football initiatives designed to support the development of football in the Caribbean and Central America over the last six years. Digicel, which has operations in 32 countries worldwide, sponsors 17 Football Federations and Leagues, as well as the Digicel Caribbean Cup and the Copa de Naciones Digicel in Central America.
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS
Digicel has been involved in a wide range of football initiatives designed to support the development of football in the Caribbean and Central America over the last six years. Digicel, which has operations in 32 countries worldwide, sponsors 17 Football Federations and Leagues, as well as the Digicel Caribbean Cup and the Copa de Naciones Digicel in Central America.
Digicel also spearheads the Digicel Kick Start Clinics in the Caribbean and Central America, which offer young footballers the opportunity to train with renowned footballers such as Liverpool legends, John Barnes and Ian Rush, as well as spend one week with UK Premier League Clubs, Sunderland AFC and Manchester City.
ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP
After nine years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has 10.8 million customers across its 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.
Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Championships and the Copa de Naciones Digicel. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.
Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti and Papua New Guinea which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.
In 2004, Digicel developed Digicel Rising Stars – an annual talent show to support aspiring young music artists in the Caribbean. The show has spanned the Eastern Caribbean, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago ranking as one of the top-rated shows.
It is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the Caribbean.
Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.
