CAY HILL—More than 150 local athletes attended a free soccer clinic at Raoul Illidge Sports Complex Thursday. The children ranged in age from seven to 18.
The St. Maarten Soccer Association has teamed up with UNICEF and the KNVB
To kick off a ‘Life-skills’ program for young people on St. Maarten.
The devastation caused by hurricane Irma still has a major impact on children and
their parents.
Experience has shown that children and young people can process their experiences
in an effective way through sports. In addition to engaging in healthy exercise, the specially trained sports coaches teach young people new skills that help them to thrive despite current adverse conditions.
The ‘Life-skills’ include nutrition and being fit, alcohol use, standing up for yourself
and dealing respectfully with others and public spaces. Life-skills are also about dealing with loss and anger management, emotions that are often present in the lives of children
due to changed conditions.
The local soccer association also plans to start the youth school soccer competition.
“We are very busy with school tournament and will need a lot of help,” said president Johnny Singh. “We spoke to Concacaf who advised we can hire a staff and they will pay.”
The association needs coaches, referees and statisticians.
The school competition is set to start for both Primary and Secondary schools March 3.
The senior competition is slated to begin the third week of March.
“We are busy with a world coaches course,” said Singh.
