FIFA Football for Schools Program Empowered Youth in Turks and Caicos Islands
FIFA, in collaboration with the FIFA Foundation and UNESCO, successfully implemented the FIFA Football for Schools program in 18 schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands. This groundbreaking initiative aimed to enhance the social development and lives of students aged 4 to 14 through the power of football.
The program, supported by esteemed partners including Adidas, FIFA IT Department, Sportradar, FIA, Generation Amazing, Qatar Foundation, UNODC, WADA, and WFP, was introduced to fifteen (15) primary schools and three (3) high schools, benefiting both students and educators. As part of the program, local coaches and teachers received specialised training at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex and the Downtown Ballpark on Thursday, September 21st, and Friday, September 22nd. Twenty-two (22) teachers from various schools across the islands underwent comprehensive training to deliver the program effectively. The FIFA Football for Schools initiative equipped participating schools with essential resources, including coach training, footballs, and the FIFA Football for Schools mobile application. The app featured pre-designed session plans, complete with video demonstrations and social skills activities, designed to engage and inspire students.
A lively opening ceremony and football festival were held on Friday, September 29, 2023, to celebrate the program's official launch commencing at 11:00 AM at the Downtown Ballpark. This event was led by recently trained coaches and teachers and showcased various activities from the Football for Schools (F4S) app. Students from participating schools from the various different islands in the Turks and Caicos were invited to participate in this exciting event, a memorable celebration of youth empowerment through football.
FIFA remains committed to fostering positive change through the beautiful game, and the FIFA Football for Schools program in the Turks and Caicos Islands was a testament to this dedication.
Amid all the learning and fun, Technical Director Dane Ritchie had the following to say, “The launch of the FIFA Football for Schools program was highly welcomed by the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, the President of TCIFA, school administrations, and students who participated in the activities on the day. The support of the Ministry in this project is significant, as we are eager to see how effective it will be in schools. The program aims to use football as a tool for social impact while also allowing students to enjoy the sport.
We look forward to continuing the program with the schools and hope other schools will join the program next year.”
