In a significant initiative aimed at empowering and educating young Guyanese girls, the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, in partnership with SBM Offshore Guyana, has unveiled the Women in Football Development Programme. It is slated to provide professional football coaching, essential life skills training, and the opportunity for international scholarships to further tertiary or technical education to fifty young participants.
According to SBM Offshore, the initiative seeks to promote holistic development by imparting not only fundamental football skills but also crucial self-development traits, such as leadership, decision-making, communication, problem-solving, and the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices. It targets girls aged between 13 and 19, aiming to nurture their physical and personal growth.
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Under the partnership, participants will receive top-tier training sessions and coaching from the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, enhancing their football prowess while simultaneously equipping them with life skills essential for leadership and empowerment.
During the official launch of the program on September 29, SBM Offshore Guyana’s General Manager, Martin Cheong, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to youth development. He said, “We believe that by investing in young people through sports, education or capacity-building programmes, we can tangibly contribute to Guyana’s upward trajectory towards a prosperous future through its human resources.”
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Vurlon Mills, the Founder of the Academy, expressed his excitement at the commencement of this initiative, highlighting how football transcends being just a sport. He said it instills values such as cooperation, grit, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and respect. He aspires for program participants not only to master the game but also to embody the life skills necessary for leadership and empowerment.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Fraser, Head of the Unit of Allied Arts at the Ministry of Education, stressed the role of sports in building self-esteem and confidence, particularly for young females. He emphasized how the program’s focus on confidence-building and skill development would positively impact the emotional and overall development of girls.
Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation, Bryan Joseph, extended his congratulations to SBM Offshore, the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, and the young participants, reaffirming the federation’s support for the initiative.
SBM Offshore Guyana said its commitment to projects that nurture Guyanese development aligns with the company’s dedication to Sustainable Development Goal Three, which promotes good health and well-being.
SBM Offshore is the builder of all but one of Guyana’s floating production, storage and offloading vessels for the only producing block, Stabroek.
