Each child participating will receive two soccer kits (socks, shorts, and jerseys). Lunch and healthy snacks are also supplied each day with plenty of water on hand. Register today! Avid soccer players shown here are Devan Chee-a-tow, Matthew Armstrong and Cayla Ved Paddick.

Analysis of registrations at Grand Bahama soccer camps explodes some popular myths about the event.

It is not mostly attended by the children of ex-pats from Europe where soccer (football to them) is far and away the biggest sport.   In fact, more than 70 per cent of those taking part are Bahamian and the next biggest group (12 percent) are American.

This is despite the US sports of basketball, baseball and softball dominating the sports agendas of the island’s schools.   It shows that interest levels among youngsters are growing in what, outside the US, is the world’s most popular sport.

Despite the predominance of Bahamian children signing up for the camp it is still very international however.   In the last couple of years 15 different nationalities have been represented among those sharing the fun. Children have even attended from other islands of The Bahamas and persons visiting the island from other countries  have also attended.

Nor is the camp attended mainly by girls, which would likely be the case if the event was held in the US.   In fact the boys have outnumbered the girls by two to one.

It is a camp for all ages however.   It caters for six-to-16 year olds and the statistics show a fairly equal split between primary and senior grades with 12-year-olds shading the rest as the largest single group.

The mixed nature of the kids taking part is one of the reasons for the outstanding success of the camps, said organiser Richard Malcolm.

“The children are first divided into age groups where they are assessed before the groups are adjusted to allow kids with similar skills levels to play together but there has always been an over-riding sense of everyone being part of the same fun camp.  

“By Day Two there is a real sense of camaradie and of new friendships being made.   Shared fun is always the best kind of fun and there is plenty of that,” he said.

This year’s camp is again being held at the Freeport Football Rugby Club field on East Settlers Way and starts on June 23, closing on June 27.   It will again be led by a group of top ranking fully-qualified coaches from the UK, supported by a team of local coaches.

Up to 200 children are being catered for this year and the organizers expect the attendance to be close to that.   Each child is given two full uniforms and other goodies as well as lunch every day, and the chance for a cooling swim at the midday break.    Given the fact they also get 25 hours of top line professional coaching it has to be the best value summer camp in the Bahamas.

Parents can get registration forms (attached below) and also register their children at Town and Country, Yellow Pine Street; Animale, Port Lucaya; or The Wellness Centre off Coral Road.     Uniforms will be given out at the Rugby Club from 2pm until 4pm on Sunday June 22.

Related Articles:

Local Businesses make Premier League Soccer Camp a Reality for Children on Grand Bahama

Luther Blissett to return to the 5th Annual Premier League GB Soccer Camp

Phil French to again lead the 2008 Grand Bahama Summer Soccer Camp

English Premier League Soccer Camp - the best yet!

REGISTRATION FORM ATTACHED BELOW: