Sport

Derby Academy ideal, says Boxhill

By NODLEY WRIGHT, Freelance Writer

Crenston Boxhill - File

THE MUCH TALKED about focus on youth, which the current administration promised leading up to last November's Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) elections, could soon take shape.

Alliances

Crenston Boxhill, president of the JFF, has said alliances are being forged with clubs in England to benefit local young players and youth coaches.

"On our way back from the Die Auslosung Fur NOKIA-debitel-Cup 2004 held in Dusseldorf, Germany last month, we stopped over in England. We took the opportunity to meet with a number of clubs with regards to having an arrangement with their academy," Boxhill told STAR Sports recently.

Among the clubs visited or contacted were First Division Derby County and Premiership team Newcastle United.

"Myself and George Evans took the opportunity to visit a number of clubs to look at their set-up and the one which impressed us most was the Derby County Academy.

"It has a classroom, about 14 football fields, a gym for workout and rehabilitation purposes and a physio room," said Boxhill, hinting that Jamaica's Academy, when built, could be fashioned off the Derby model.

Another positive in teaming up with Derby County is the presence of a Jamaican, Jeremy Keith, on their board of directors. Boxhill said Keith, who is from Montego Bay, "is very excited about what we are trying to do".

"One of the arrangements we are looking at is to send players there for a month or two and even youth coaches as well. We may even be able to send them at no cost to the Federation. We have not signed off on it yet but the agreement is there in principle," Boxhill said.

Similar arrangements are being discussed with other clubs, including Newcastle United. None of the other arrangements have reached the level of the Derby County discussions, Boxhill said.

Optimistic

"I strongly believe we have to have a strong youth development programme for the culture of our football to change. It is especially important now that we have got help from FIFA towards the setting up of an academy."

This arrangement could be solidified as early as later this month when Boxhill heads to England with the national senior squad for training and two friendly internationals against Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland.

"A number of these things could be finalised when we make this trip to England. We are hoping this process could start as early as this summer. I am especially optimistic about this Derby County arrangement," Boxhill said.