GFF, DOF Subsea seal $40M deal to launch Guyana’s first girls’ football academy

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has taken a major step toward developing women’s football locally after formalising a five-year partnership with DOF Subsea through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday at the World Trade Centre.
Under the agreement, DOF Subsea will contribute GY$40 million over the next five years to support the establishment and operations of the DOF–FIFA Arena Girls Football Academy, Guyana’s first dedicated academy focused on female football development.

The initiative forms part of the global FIFA Arena Project, which aims to install 1000 mini-pitches worldwide by 2031, targeting increased access to safe and inclusive football facilities, particularly in underserved communities. Guyana is among the first Caribbean nations to implement the programme, with two all-weather mini-pitches planned for Haslington, East Coast Demerara, and Retrieve in Linden.
The academy will operate primarily from the Haslington facility and will deliver structured grassroots and technical training programmes for girls, alongside life skills development. The programme will follow the standards set by FIFA, Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and the Caribbean Football Union, with the long-term goal of producing players capable of representing Guyana internationally within the next five to six years.
GFF President Wayne Forde described the partnership as a key moment in the federation’s long-term vision, noting that it will create a structured pathway for young female players across the country.
He said the academy will serve as a central hub for weekly grassroots programmes, community football, school initiatives, and elite youth development, while also thanking DOF Subsea for its support of what he termed a transformational project.
Executive Vice President North America of DOF Subsea, Marco Sclocchi, emphasised the company’s commitment to investing in youth through sport, stating that the initiative will help provide the facilities and structure needed to support the growth of young female players.
Philippe Moggio highlighted the regional importance of the partnership, noting that it reflects a long-term, structured approach to development and aligns with Concacaf’s efforts to expand opportunities for women and girls in football across the region.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, underscored the Government’s support for the initiative, stating that it represents a meaningful investment in the future of young women and will be supported by ongoing infrastructure development, including a high-performance centre.