Sport Correspondent
The National Primary Schools Football League (NPSFL) is welcoming with open arms the CONCACAF Bigger Game Academy, which was launched over the weekend. The programme was designed to develop both technical ability and personal growth through sport.
Following the launch of the initiative at the T&T Football Association (TTFA) Technical Centre in Couva on Saturday, coaches working in the Primary Schools participated in training workshops focused on: The Role of the Coach; Coaching Methodology; Planning a Session Workshop; and Bigger Game Basic Exercises on the Field. The workshops were also held in Tobago on Monday.
After the training, the coaches worked with Primary School teams comprising players from several schools in a football festival at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago and the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
Secretary/treasurer of the NPSFL, Kurt Cruickshank, was present at the Ato Boldon Stadium and was glad for the exposure provided.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for teachers in the primary schools to learn about football development and strategies they can use to develop their players. The programme goes hand in hand with the league and (will cater for) schools which play football. There is another programme to start in the coming weeks for schools, not playing football. The programme was earmarked to improve the level of skill,” said Cruickshank.
Students from Pt Fortin RC, Tunapuna RC, Mucurapo RC, Santa Cruz RC, Enterprise Government, Chaguanas RC, Dinsley-Trincity Government, Dow Village RC and Arima Boys RC participated in the Trinidad leg, while Scarborough RC, Castara Government, Signal Hill Government, St Andrews Anglican, Speyside Anglican and Moriah Government were represented in Tobago.
Cruickshank pointed out that the Concacaf Bigger Game Academy is a ten-week co-curricular activity to be done during school hours.
Action in this year’s National Primary Schools Football League kicked off in the eight districts across the country in the boys’ Under-12 and girls’ and boys’ U-15 divisions.
The Tobago district hosted a special boys U-9 competition. Signal Hill Government emerged as champions after beating neighbours Patience Hill Government 3-1 in the final at the Cyd Gray Sporting Complex, Roxborough on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Signal Hill and Patience Hill won their semifinal matches. Signal Hill defeated Speyside Anglican (3-0) while Patience Hill edged Castara Government, 1-0. In the round robin stage, Signal Hill topped the Leeward A Group while Patience Hill was the top team in Leeward B. Castara was the best among the Northside schools and Speyside was the best among the Windward Group.