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Peruvian Coach creates football academy
By PAUL A REID Observer West Writer
Thursday, February 03, 2011
ROSE HALL, St James — YOUNG aspiring footballers in the Montego Bay area are to benefit from an academy being set up by Peruvian coach Danilo Barriga that will cater for players between the ages of 5-years-old to18-years-old.
Barriga who is in his second stint as the coach of Western Confederation Super League leaders Seba United and their sister club Abes says so far he has 37 young players in training every Saturday morning at the Half Moon hotel field.
The programme he said was year-round and the hope is to instill, "a new mentality, a new way of thinking" in the players.
"We can't sit around waiting every 10 years for another 'Tappa' (former national player Theodore Whitmore)" he told Observer West last week, "but we must find a way to get the best out of our players."
Barriga, who has coached at Reno and Waterhouse as well, says there is no lack of talent in Jamaica but only lack of proper teaching at the initial stages when the payers learn the game.
While the cost for each student should be about $5,000 Barriga said, most of them were allowed free of cost, simply because they could not afford it.
He described the venture is a costly one since expenses had to be covered for the use of the hotel field, the three assistant coaches as well as administrative work.
Presently Barriga said there were two invitations to travel overseas later this year, to an Under 14 tournament in Coral Springs, Florida and an Under-17 version in Canada.
Discussions had started with potential sponsors since the trips would not be possible without sponsorship, he said.
Barriga said several classes dealing with football drills and the basics of the game are held every week between 9:0am and 11:00am.
By PAUL A REID Observer West Writer
Thursday, February 03, 2011
ROSE HALL, St James — YOUNG aspiring footballers in the Montego Bay area are to benefit from an academy being set up by Peruvian coach Danilo Barriga that will cater for players between the ages of 5-years-old to18-years-old.
Barriga who is in his second stint as the coach of Western Confederation Super League leaders Seba United and their sister club Abes says so far he has 37 young players in training every Saturday morning at the Half Moon hotel field.
The programme he said was year-round and the hope is to instill, "a new mentality, a new way of thinking" in the players.
"We can't sit around waiting every 10 years for another 'Tappa' (former national player Theodore Whitmore)" he told Observer West last week, "but we must find a way to get the best out of our players."
Barriga, who has coached at Reno and Waterhouse as well, says there is no lack of talent in Jamaica but only lack of proper teaching at the initial stages when the payers learn the game.
While the cost for each student should be about $5,000 Barriga said, most of them were allowed free of cost, simply because they could not afford it.
He described the venture is a costly one since expenses had to be covered for the use of the hotel field, the three assistant coaches as well as administrative work.
Presently Barriga said there were two invitations to travel overseas later this year, to an Under 14 tournament in Coral Springs, Florida and an Under-17 version in Canada.
Discussions had started with potential sponsors since the trips would not be possible without sponsorship, he said.
Barriga said several classes dealing with football drills and the basics of the game are held every week between 9:0am and 11:00am.
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