HAITI BOYS RAISE THE BAR AT THE DIGICEL KICKSTART CLINICS

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 – Kingston, Jamaica

 

Chelsea FC Foundation Coaches, David Monk and Max Fouracre, were excited to be back in Haiti to train with some of the best youth football players in the region in the Digicel Kickstart Clinics

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.

 

Chelsea FC Foundation Senior International Football Development Officer and Digicel Kickstart Clinics Head Coach, David Monk, gives instructions to some of the participants during the Haiti leg of the Digicel Kickstart Clinics

David Monk speaks to media at the opening press conference for the start of the Digicel Kickstart Clinics in Haiti

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.”

Haiti’s youth players are known for their strong attacking style and technical ability

 

The Haiti boys were on form during their Clinics training session and continue to impress the Chelsea FC Coaches

ENDS

ABOUT DIGICEL

Digicel Group is a leading global communications provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After almost 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the presenting partner of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.