VMFA, SBM Offshore launch 2nd year of Girls Development Program

The Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) and SBM Offshore Guyana have successfully launched the second year of the Girls in Football Development programme: on Saturday, November 29, 2024 at the Saint Stanislaus Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.
This programme is designed to empower young girls by exposing them to a range of potential career paths, mentorship, and other positive benefits derived from participating in football; and to instill confidence and ambition in the participants, equipping them with skills necessary to succeed in any endeavour they choose to pursue.

First year of the programme had seen 52 participants from 14 schools completing in a programme running for 12 months and involving females between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. Weekly football training sessions and several valuable life skills and mentoring sessions were held by the Ministry of Education throughout the year.
Additionally, a ‘Kickin’ Conversations’ mentorship session with female SBM Offshore Guyana employees was conducted. Visits to tertiary institutions and to the Georgetown Technical Institute (Jill of All Trades) and Carnegie School of Home Economics had also been conducted. As a result, a 70% increase in the number of girls being selected to represent their respective schools in the Under 14 and Under 15 competitions was recorded.
Some of those girls were selected to represent their clubs in the National Women’s League. Five girls were included in the Guyana Women’s National U17 Team that represented Guyana at the Inter-Guiana Games, and seven girls were also included as part of the provisional squad at the under 15 level for the Concacaf U15 Tournament.
This programme would, for the second year, build on this momentum by expanding its reach to additional schools in Region 4 and establishing a satellite programme in Region 3.
Moreover, development of coaches through coaching education, increasing the number of life skill sessions and facilitators, increasing visits to tertiary institutions and increasing the level of awareness of scholarship opportunities are on the cards.
VMFA Founder Mr Vurlon Mills has said, “This project continues to have a significant impact on the girls involved by providing them with the opportunity to learn and develop both their football skills and important life skills. As we venture into the second year, we will continue to enhance their skill level, introduce the game to participants who never played before or who are now learning the game, and will continue to develop the participants’ football skills, confidence, and overall wellbeing.
“I must say thank you to SBM Offshore Guyana for their commitment to the VMFA and this programme, providing an opportunity for personal and football development for girls.”
Ms. Gwenetta Fordyce, Sustainability Lead at SBM Offshore Guyana, has said, “SBM Offshore Guyana is delighted to continue supporting the Vurlon Mills Football Academy through the Girls in Football Development programme. Over the past year, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact this initiative has had on young women, fostering growth through mentorship and skill development. We are proud to remain part of this journey, and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact and progress this programme brings to its participants.”
The VMFA is hereby expressing sincerest gratitude to SBM Offshore Guyana, the Ministry of Education, and the coaches and parents for their invaluable contribution in making this programme a success and changing the lives of many young women.