adminVeronica Gwaze Sports Reporter
ALL is set for the National Foods School of Excellence training camp, which has been slated for August 15 to 31, at Ellis Robins High School.
The camp, a brainchild of the Northern Region Women Soccer League, will bring together 51 young female footballers together.
These young girls will be drawn from across the country to acquire more knowledge about the game.
This is part of initiatives to groom the next generation of the Mighty Warriors.
It is meant to ensure that these Under-15s, Under-17s and Under-20s ecome the senior national team feeder system.
“This time we reduced the number of athletes from the 82 who camped last time (December) to 51 because we released some of the athletes who had just turned 20,” said NRWSL chair Peter Gonyora.
“Our focus group is 20 years and below so it means continuously releasing those who turn 20.”
The National Foods SEO also aims to develop the young athletes on and off the pitch through lessons on drug and substance abuse prevention and healthy living.
It is also meant to assist their overall development as individuals by combining training in football and the laws of the game.
Gonyora said these camps also help to keep young girls away from the kind of behaviour that leads to unwanted pregnancies, early marriages and other social vices.
“The camp now attracts talent from all provinces despite it being a NRWSL initiative,” he said.
“Preparations are underway with the venue already set and other last-minute modalities are being put in place.
“We will continue to work with our principal sponsor, National Foods, PLAN International, Childline, Victim Friendly Unit, Innscor, Probrands, ZOC, National Aids Council and Red Cross.”
He added:
“When we started the SOE, I was sceptical of the idea, wondering if we would manage considering the figures we needed to get started.
“We are happy with the progress, our patrons are always there for us so it gives us the zeal to keep pushing harder.
“Above everything, the common vision is to rewrite these young girls’ stories and make the world a better place through sport.”
Online Reporter