Presenting the UEFA Assist programme were International Relations Coordinator Marie Clerc (left), UEFA General Secretary Jonathan Ford (centre) and International Relations Manager Eva Pasquier. (Missing from photo is Technical Manager Roger Meichtry)
MARIGOT—A delegation of specialists from Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) was in St. Martin recently to discuss its Assist Programme that has already helped many countries to develop soccer.
The promotion, protection and development of soccer has long been one of UEFA's main objectives. To complement the work already done in Europe, UEFA launched a new international programme, Project Assist, in 2017.
This UEFA project shares knowledge with other soccer confederations and offers them the means to develop. UEFA provides practical assistance to the various confederations around the world, and their member associations, with the aim of developing and strengthening soccer. As a member of Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the Saint-Martin Football League is eligible to be part of this project. 200 projects are carried out each year in countries outside Europe.
UEFA Assist works in four major areas; training and the sharing of its expertise, development of youth soccer, infrastructure, and a specific support programme adapted to the situation of the territory. UEFA specialists follow up with the confederations and offer a training programme.
Tournaments are also organised for the U15 and U16 age group to allow youngsters to compete with other clubs; this is also a way to identify talent. As far as infrastructure is concerned, this does not involve construction or renovation of stadiums but the provision of equipment, to the value of 35,000 euros.
During four days, four UEFA experts in charge of the project, met coaches, trainers, players, and all those who are involved in the sport, directly or indirectly (parents, associations, media ...). The purpose of these individual interviews was to know the perception of soccer in the territory, the needs in terms of coaching, equipment or ... motivation.
The report of these interviews and the resulting diagnosis will be submitted to the Saint-Martin Football League and to the sports and youth departments of the Collectivité and the State. Meetings have already taken place with the League on Saturday and Sunday to discuss the points to be improved and to consider concrete actions to be implemented, with a follow-up and support from UEFA for six months.
The aim of all this is to give the opportunity to each child, each young person, who wishes to be able to play soccer in the best conditions.
