After a break over the summer months, The Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy ( formerly the Grand Bahama Youth Soccer Development Programme) is scheduled to restart on Wednesday September 11th at Freeport Rugby Football Club at 5pm for all boys aged 9 to 21 years of age .
At present the following age levels will be coached on a weekly basis: Under 10s, Under 13s, 14 to 17 year olds, and 18 and over.
The Programme provides a framework which complements the YMCA and School programmes by offering players further higher level and qualified coaching and additional organized practices and competitive games.
Under its first full season with new sponsor Dolly Madison and Whirlpool, the Academy continues to expand and has ambitious plans for the future year including:
*Being able to utilize the new and expanded training facilities at Freeport Rugby & Football Club which are likely to open in early 2008. These will include a full size soccer pitch , 2 training areas and a 5 a side pitch ,
*Expanding of the Whirlpool Intermediate League, which is for boys aged 14 to 17 , from four teams to six or seven once the new pitches come on stream
*Continuing to assist in young players obtaining soccer scholarships to US Colleges. This summer , 3 players who have come through the ranks of the Soccer Academy obtained Soccer scholarships.
*Both hosting and touring against other Bahamian Islands and US teams in order that the players get the correct exposure to different players, other styles of play etc
Any interested players or persons interested in helping to coach can contact Mark Hardy at 357-5403 or come to Freeport Rugby and Football Club from 5pm every Wednesday.