Phil French (seen here with a G.B.I. Soccer Camp participant) helps develop sport in the UK and will return once again to Grand Bahama Island to head up the Premier League supported Grand Bahama Summer Soccer Camp to be held at the Freeport Football Rugby Club from June 23 to 27.

The skills of the man who has played a key role in making the eagerly-awaited Grand Bahama soccer camps so successful for the last four years have been recognized by his being given a top government job developing sport in the UK.

Phil French, who again will be leading the contingent of visiting coaches at this summer’s camp, has been appointed special advisor to the country’s Minister of Sport and Culture.

This is great news for Grand Bahama since French, who was described by the UK national newspaper the Daily Mail as “well-connected”, is the man responsible   putting together the teams of top coaches who come to the island to develop young people’s soccer skills.    He also organizes training equipment.

The British media has been very flattering about the appointment.   “This is the loudest signal yet that sport will have a prominent role in the government’s agenda,” said another leading newspaper The Guardian.    The view was echoed by the Daily Mail which said the appointment meant there would be “a real heavyweight overlooking sports policy”.

Despite his new role French has pledged his support and leading role in this year’s camp which will take place at Freeport Rugby Club in East Settlers Way from June 23 to June 27.

He said: “The camp has been a highlight of my calendar for four summers now and I would not miss this opportunity to enjoy the fellowship and hospitality of Grand Bahamians as well as help continue the improvement in skill levels shown by the island’s young players.   I know that there been enormous strides made.

“I am in the middle of pulling together the coaches who will be flying over this year and I hope we shall be able to make an announcement about who they are in the next week or so.”

At least 200 children aged six to 16 are expected to sign up after the outstanding successes of the camp in recent years.   Many have already been asking when the camp will be held.

Their parents know it is the best summer camp deal on the island with all children getting two full uniforms, 25 hours of top-class coaching, lunch every day along with supervised swimming, fruit morning and afternoon and as much water as they can drink to keep the midsummer heat at bay.

Registration forms are already available at Town and Country in Yellow Pine Street, Freeport, as well as at the rugby club where there are activities most nights of the week from 5pm and officials in attendance to hand them out.

For further information about the soccer camp please contact Stuart Garner at 242-374-2372.