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Foska, Cavalier launch $9m grassroots football programme
September 13, 2018
Cavalier chairman Rudolph Speid says the Foska Oats/Cavalier grassroots programme, which was launched at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) yesterday, will not only look to develop young players but those interested in working in football.
"Cavalier Football Club will oversee this programme and will ensure the standards we use are aligned with FIFA standards. We will also implement a mentorship programme, so we will sit with them (players) and speak about nutrition, education, family life, and just try to get them to understand life," Speid said.
"But the programme is not only about finding talented players but also people interested in working in football. Some will become managers, doctors, coaches, trainers, so although it's really about getting youngsters to appreciate the game from a young age, we want to encourage and incorporate other aspects," he said.
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Continue bearing fruit
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Foska Oats will sponsor the programme to the tune of $9 million over three years. Cavalier will organise the programme each year over a two-month period. The programme takes place on Saturdays at Alpha Boys' Home at 10 a.m. and a location of the club's choice in the afternoons. Five weeks have already been completed and only three remain and Speid expects the programme to continue bearing fruit.
"It has started already. We have had over 700 boys participating. We have been to Boys' Town, Duhaney Park, Cooreville, Cedar Valley, and Lakes Pen in St Catherine," he noted.
Caribbean Foods managing director, Christopher Ramson, noted their long association with Cavalier and says the club's belief in and success with youth was the motivation behind this partnership.
"We have to build from the ground up and that's why we are doing this. Cavalier believes in developing the youths of Jamaica and that's what we believe in. We realise our visions are aligned and it's a natural fit," he said.
The partnership was fully endorsed by JFF president and guest speaker, Mike Ricketts, "This is the way to go. I would love the Premier League clubs to go this route and expose youngsters at a very young stage," he said.
