Programme information

THE BREWSTER TRUST provides football sessions in selected schools

On 30th January 2012 THE BREWSTER TRUST starts the “School Programme 2012”, a new football initiative in Barbados in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and coaches from Arsenal FC. Following its Mission Statement to promote, develop and improve football in Barbados and to create opportunities – especially for the youth – a pilot programme has been developed which runs till the end of the academic year and contains in total 31 sessions or 49 hours of football coaching at nine schools on a weekly basis.

Four Primary Schools and five Secondary Schools

The schools for the pilot have been chosen by the Ministry of Education. They are:

  • Workmans Primary School
  • Eden Lodge Primary School
  • Mount Tabor Primary School
  • Milton Lynch Primary School
  • Christ Church Foundation School
  • Parkinson Memorial Secondary School
  • The Lester Vaughan School
  • St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School
  • Alma Parris Memorial Secondary School

The programme delivers football sessions on the field and off the field also focussing on confidence boosts or special needs; a special “Double Club” scheme covers literacy connected to football.

The winner, the youth

“The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development as well as the Principals agreed in our planning meetings that the sessions are part of the Curriculum which is a clear commitment and also a big advantage especially for the participants. It also shows that we have achieved a positive image especially with regards to quality and organisation since we began in Barbados in September 2010. We regret that we cannot integrate all schools, but we are happy to run this pilot programme knowing about the potential of the initiative”, states Axel Bernhardt, CEO of THE BREWSTER TRUST. In relation with the schools’ selection of students nearly 1’000 young people could be affected by the programme. THE BREWSTER TRUST follows FIFA’s Grassroots principles and teaches also discipline, respect and fair play. The sessions, held on the schools’ fields, are free of costs for students and schools. The most outstanding students will be awarded with the trophies “most outstanding player” and “fair play trophy”.

The schedule

Coaching

  • Sessions will be delivered by two Gapper teams, each with two coaches
  • Groups maximum 25 students, mainly mixed groups
  • Teachers and PE instructors should act as assistant to Gappers; they wish to benefit getting some insights in football coaching
  • At every session a teacher must be present
  • Every session contains at least: proper warm-up, one drill, game
  • Relevant ages: groups covering ages 7 – 17
  • coaches are assigned to groups at each venue, they document presence, coaching programme and special events

Coaching elements

  • Passing Session, sessions will be focused on basic passing techniques developing the range and accuracy of the players.
  • Dribbling and Turns Sessions, these sessions will be focused on developing the players basic dribbling and turning techniques. This will also include: dribbling at speed, slalom dribbling and dribbling with turns incorporated.
  • Control Sessions and Heading Sessions, this will include aerial control with the focus on using various parts of the body like feet, knees, chest or a light and short session on heading will also be incorporated into the session.
  • Shooting Sessions, basic techniques of shooting with a development focused on shooting with various parts of their strong and weak feet.
  • Mini matches/tournaments, small sided matches/tournament s i.e. 3 v 3, 4 v 4 will be played throughout the programme.
  • Each session day should end with a competition based on the session they have taken part in.
  • If rain makes the field not accessible, class rooms will be provided to teach football rules and discuss football topics.

Double Club Programme

Eden Lodge Primary School:
1.40pm – 3.00pm on Thursdays (80 minutes): 30 min classroom, 10 min break, 40 min field
Milton Lynch Primary School:
10.40am – 12.00pm on Wednesdays (80 minutes): 30 min classroom, 10 min break, 40 min field
Alma Parris Memorial School:
9.00am – 12.00pm on Saturdays (180 minutes), two groups with four coaches.
Group A: 9.00 – 9.45: Classroom, 9.45 – 10.00: Break, 10.00 – 10.45: Field
Group B : 9.00 – 9.45: Field, 9.45 – 10.00: Break, 10.00 – 10.45: Classroom
10.45 – 11.00: Break
11.00 – 12.00: mini matches

Programme start

  • Workmans Primary School: 3rd February 2012
  • Eden Lodge Primary School: 2nd February 2012
  • Mount Tabor Primary School: 2nd February 2012
  • Milton Lynch Primary School: 1st Februay 2012
  • Christ Church Foundation School: 8th February 2012
  • Parkinson Memorial Secondary School: 2nd February 2012
  • The Lester Vaughan School: 30th January 2012
  • St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School: 30th January 2012
  • Alma Parris Memorial Secondary School: 3rd February 2012

Thank you

Finally we thank The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and the School Principals approving this pilot programme and of course our partner Arsenal FC and Arsenal in the Community. A special thank you to the four guest families who offered to accomodate our coaches, we appreciate your fantastic support.

If you are also interested to host one of our coaches in future please get in contact with us.