The all new 2011 Digicel Kick Start Clinics this year introduces the Digicel Academy, a week-long elite training camp under the leadership of top Barclays Premier League coaches from the Sunderland Academy, assisted by England and Liverpool football legend, John Barnes.

To win a place in the Digicel Academy, aspiring young footballers must qualify from the Digicel Kick Start Clinics which will take place over several weeks and across eight countries during September and October, under the expert coaching of John Barnes.

From each of the eight Clinic countries, a number of players will be selected to go through to the elite Digicel Academy where they will spend a week developing their skills and technical ability as well as learning valuable life skills such as personal awareness and self-esteem – all through positive reinforcement, fostering an appreciation of soccer's intrinsic values.

While in previous Digicel Kick Start Clinic programmes, the select few aspiring young footballers won a chance to spend a week in Sunderland AFC, this year Digicel is bringing these internationally acclaimed professional coaches to teach in the Digicel Academy – meaning many more players will have the chance to fulfill their dreams of being coached at Premier League level. The broader, more inclusive approach to the new look Digicel Kick Start Clinics programme was developed in consultation with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and its affiliate members.

Ultimately, the week-long training camp at the Digicel Academy will host the crème de la crème of the region’s talent where they will receive expert coaching in the beautiful game.

The Digicel Academy will also host a ‘coach the coaches’ seminar in which coaches from across the region will get expert training from Sunderland AFC’s finest teachers.