DIGICEL KICKSTART ACADEMY ENDS ON A HIGH IN JAMAICA

  Twelve players selected to take part in the Manchester City Experience

Friday 24^th June 2016 – Kingston, Jamaica: After a week of intense training, gutsy performances and the all-around inspiring team spirit shown by 42 boys at the Digicel Kickstart Academy, the scene was set for a great match to see who would make the cut to secure one of the coveted spots on offer to attend the Manchester City experience.

 Last year, six Academy players made the trip to Manchester for the once in a lifetime experience at the Club’s elite training and youth development facility, the City Football Academy as part of the Manchester Experience. The decision to extend this opportunity to 12 players was the direct result of Digicel seeing first-hand the benefits the experience provided the region’s aspiring young talent with, as well as the players’ commitment to taking full advantage of the resources and training expertise being offered to them whilst in the UK.

 From the first kick-off to the last whistle, it was clear that the players came to prove to the Manchester City coaches that they were determined to be one of the players selected and could be counted on to demonstrate the same tenacity and dedication as their peers did last October. As a result, all the boys played well – putting into action all the skills they learnt throughout the Clinics and the decision was once again not an easy one for the coaches to make.

 City Football Schools Project Manager and Digicel Kickstart Academy Lead Coach, Alan Dixon, said; “All of the boys’ skills have improved greatly, as has their confidence in their football ability. The coaches and I were pleased that they maintained such a great work ethic over the entire week. Seeing them coming into a new environment, meeting new players, learning new techniques and still performing well was impressive.”

 Digicel Group Marketing Director, Peter Lloyd, said; “Through the Digicel Kickstart programme, we are giving aspiring young players across the Caribbean an opportunity to improve their game and to achieve their goals – both on and off the field. The boys have been nothing short of stellar at the Digicel Kickstart Academy and we are really happy to be sending not six, but 12 boys to represent their countries and the region at the City Football Academy in Manchester, England.”

 The 12 boys selected were:

They will journey to Manchester, England later this year for what is known as the Manchester City experience, where they will get a first-hand feel of what it is like to be a professional footballer for a week. In addition to the world class training they will receive at the City Football Academy, they will also get a chance to watch a live Manchester City game at the Etihad Stadium – which will no doubt be a thrilling experience for the boys.

The 42 players at the Digicel Kickstart Academy were selected during the Digicel Kickstart Clinics which toured 14 countries across the Caribbean and Central America.