Tuesday 14th April 2015 – Kingston, Jamaica: With the Digicel Kickstart Clinics moving apace, the Chelsea FC coaches are continuing to unearth superb talent across the Caribbean. In Haiti, the players were right on point, impressing the coaches with their technical ability and attacking prowess.
The coaches were excited to visit Haiti once again as it has a significant youth football talent pool and this year was no different. Senior International Football Development Officer and Digicel Kickstart Clinics Head Coach, David Monk, said he and his fellow coach had challenges narrowing down the group to a top three finish as there were a number of players who could have easily made the cut.
He said; “The level of skill and talent at the Digicel Kickstart Clinics in Haiti has improved every year – and this year it was no different as we saw a consistent high level of ability among all the participants. At the end of the first day, we had about 15 or 16 boys who we felt could go to the Academy and impress. On the second day, it became a lot more difficult as we wanted to select the best boys as well as acknowledge the different positions – all while narrowing it down to three.”
Over the years, the Haiti Clinics featured a number of attacking players, which is typical of the Haiti youth football landscape as they have always produced standout players at the Digicel Academy. At the end of the Clinics, the Chelsea FC selected three players who they believe are technically gifted and will raise the level of talent at the Digicel Academy. The boys selected are 14 year old Noel Werlofky Elysée, 15 year old Serge Anthony Lucien and 14 year old Charleus Talson.
The Chelsea coaches also visited the Haiti Special Olympics athletes which they considered one of their personal highlights. Monk said; “We have enjoyed visiting the Special Olympics teams during the Digicel Kickstart Clinics and we have worked with the Haiti Special Olympics teams in previous years. They are an inspiration to us and we enjoyed connecting with them again.”
