Continuing to be a pillar of encouragement to youths in the Tucville community of Georgetown, Fruta Conquerors Football Club has rolled out its summer programme for yet another year.
Coach Gilbert Sampson conducting a session with students at the summer camp
While in the past this programme has been held over longer periods, this year’s summer camp will run for one week, and a concise list of activities and objectives has been set for achievement.
In excess of 50 students were in attendance on Wednesday morning when Guyana Times Sport visited the Fruta Conquerors facility in Tucville.
This year’s summer camp will focus not only on football skills and training, but moreover on building other life skills. Fruta Conquerors President, Colin Gittens, explained some of the programmes that will be offered.
“We have two trained teachers to do remedial studies with them. Then we have other persons from different entities to give speeches on various areas, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We (also) have professionals like Astel Collins who will do motivational speaking. So this programme is for development. It also helps us to scout new talent within the area, and gives us opportunities to meet with the parents,” Gittens shared.
Speaking from a technical standpoint, club coach Sampson Gilbert explained why the children’s response to the annual summer camp is so excellent.
“Because we actually employ an interactive programme (in which) the level of reception is great. Having fun is most important in sport generally. So when you come to these programmes, this is a vocational summer camp, and so we don’t try to overdo when it comes to academics, although we have remedial reading and some math. We want to have other life skills that are not commonly taught,” Coach Gilbert explained.
The camp began over a decade ago with the backing of another company, but the task of sponsorship has since been undertaken by the Guyana Beverage Inc(GBI). Brand Manager Angelica Rodney explained why the company continues to play such an integral role in the Club’s activities.
“At GBI, we’ve been committed to sports, especially football, over the years, and we’re so happy to be on board with Fruta Conquerors Football Club’s summer camp for 2019. We see it as a way of giving back to the community, and we’re happy to be a part of, and support, that,” Rodney said.
Footballer Jeremy Garrett, a product of the same summer camp some years ago, disclosed how the camp assisted in his advancement.
“It was a very good stepping stone for my career. Being a part of the summer programme is where I learned to actually balance my education and my sporting talent, and I think that it is a platform for other youngsters coming up to inherit their talent on and off the field,” Garrett said.
The summer camp was also graced by the presence of Guyana Football Federation President, Wayne Forde, who was pleased with the continued development of the football club and its efforts to keep the sport alive in the community.
“It’s a good example, as a club, that is being set, and we’re very proud of the work that Fruta Conquerors has done over the years, and continues to be an example of how a club should be and how it should be managed,” Forde explained. (Jemima Holmes)
