Gibraltar – Schools programme up and running

Under the guidance of the association’s football development officer, Scott Wiseman, the team includes men’s national team players Jayce Olivero, Julian Valarino, Anthony Hernandez and Kian Ronan (absent from the photo) alongside Chris Ward, Jake Victor, Kaira Sene, Alan Martin and Dan Bent (also absent from photo). Players from the Gibraltar women’s national teams will be joining the programme shortly.

The association’s school coaching team have begun regular sessions this term during daily PE sessions at Notre Dame Lower Primary School, Governor’s Meadow Lower Primary School, St Joseph’s Lower Primary School and Bishop Fitzgerald Upper Primary School, with other schools around Gibraltar joining the programme in the new school year.

Footballs and bibs

As part of the programme, the Gibraltar FA will be providing the schools with equipment such as footballs and bibs for their use.

Scott Wiseman said: “We are delighted that our schools programme is up and running and I would like to thank the schools and the department of education for all of their help and assistance.

“As the new school year starts in September, we want to be able to have our coaches visit all local schools, to make fun and enjoyable football an integral part of the PE curriculum for children of all footballing abilities. And by using our men’s and women’s national team players as role models, all those aspiring young footballing stars of the future can enjoy being coached by our internationals as well as look up to and dream of one day emulating them.

“I would also like to thank all the teachers, at all the schools we have visited so far, and those we are planning to visit in the future for the amazing welcome they have given all our coaches and integrating our team into their PE sessions.”

This article originally appeared in UEFA Direct 198