Children aged six to 12 in selected Guyanese communities are set to benefit from a 10-week football programme that will teach sporting skills alongside teamwork, respect and resilience.
The community activities form the next phase of the Concacaf Bigger Game Academy Pilot Programme, following a September 17–18 workshop and football clinic involving 20 coaches from five regional associations and more than 100 schoolchildren.
Coaches representing East Demerara, Georgetown, East Bank, West Demerara and Upper Demerara will identify communities and work with volunteers to deliver the curriculum. Along with football activities, sessions will address child protection, equality and social inclusion, with a festival planned for the end of 2026.
The children’s clinic on September 18 offered an early introduction to that approach. Held at the National Training Centre, it brought together pupils from various schools for interactive drills, group sessions and activities promoting teamwork and positive values.
Facilitators from Concacaf and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) guided the children throughout the day, linking football development with learning and cooperation.
GFF President Wayne Forde said the federation wanted more children to enjoy quality football experiences in environments that are safe, welcoming and supportive.
He thanked Concacaf for bringing the pilot initiative to Guyana and stressed that coaches play a central role in the game’s growth. Programmes of this kind, he said, provide the knowledge, practical experience and tools coaches need to make a difference in their communities.
Preparation for the community phase began with the September 17 workshop at the Guyana Olympic Association. Coaches explored their responsibilities, the characteristics of effective coaching, the functions of coach educators and safeguarding.
The sessions combined discussion with practical work to help participants put the training into use.
Concacaf Coach Educators Joe Supe, Tashana Vincent and Roberto Lopez delivered the workshop with support from GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph and Coach Educator Lyndon France.
The Bigger Game Academy is a flagship Concacaf initiative designed to help teachers, coaches and community leaders use grassroots football to develop both sporting ability and essential life skills.
The GFF release reported that more than 430 coaches had been trained and over 2,100 children reached across 17 participating Concacaf Member Associations during the past year.
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