GFA Newsletter Issue1 - October 2012

The THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE GRENADA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

In this issue ▪ GFA announces Strategic Planning Committee ▪ GFA appoints Football Ambassador ▪ Youth Football ▪ GFA President urges more

co-operation ▪ Women’s Program Co-ordinator

GFA launches its official newsletter “The GoalPost”

appointed

of society and through the establishment of its monthly newsletter the world will now be able to see exactly how extensive the development of football is within the tri islands. From its Grassroots Programs to the development of women’s football; the GFA continues to remain committed to ensuring that the sport of football is not just a sport, but a way of life.

▪ GFA Grassroots Program ▪ GFA secures Goal Project from FIFA ▪ GFA Donates Uniforms

Another First for the GFA “Female Referees”

For the first time in the GFA’s history a Women’s Refereeing Program has emerged. Twenty eight women have answered the call and are working towards becoming official referees.

The main objective of the program is to provide women with the same opportunities as their male counterparts in football. In addition, to train more referees on the island to officiate over matches locally and at FIFA international levels.

Sessions are held every Wednesdays at the National Stadium and are conducted by Valman Bedeau.

Issue 1 - October 2012

The GoalPost will feature match results, articles pertaining to fostering partnerships, highlighting its various football programs and showcasing Who’s Who in the GFA.

The GFA was established in 1924, where its mission was to continue the growth and development of football in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Today, that mission statement still remains but the GFA has included avenues where stakeholders and shareholders have become more aware of the initiatives that are being undertaken by the Association.

The range of programs that the GFA has developed stems to all sectors

President of the GFA, Cheney Joseph, is elated that the newsletter is finally up; even though the initial phase is carded to be delivered in an electronic format. Joseph is encouraging corporate Grenada to be a part of this venture. He also plans to focus on Women, Grassroots and Club development for the rest of his term 2013-2014. Joseph hopes that through this medium more people can be properly informed locally and abroad of the work that the association continues to do.

GFA announces Strategic Planning Committee GFA Executive Committee, has announced the appointment of its Strategic Planning Committee.

This committee, Chaired by Ken Whiteman and Vice Chaired by Roderick Griffith, has been created in order to improve our ability to effectively manage the business of football on the island and increase opportunities for growth.

It will have the mission to elevate the association’s success, expand its brand awareness and amplify its reach further.

The Strategic Planning Committee members include Bernadine Andrew (Sunjets), Wayne Francis (Hurricanes), Max Toussaint (North Stars), Ian Baptiste (Five Stars), and Claude Douglas (Paradise). The members will serve for the duration of the life of the GFA Strategic Planning until approval by the General Council.

GFA is committed to finding the best strategies towards continuing to develop football in Grenada. The committee is targeting March 31st, 2013 to complete its mandate.

It is expected to meet with Stakeholders, Shareholders, Partners and all interested parties.The GFA is seeking the assistance of FIFA in fulfilling its mandate in establishing it four year plan for football on the island.

CONGRATULATIONS! GFA wishes to congratulate Jamaica on qualifying to the next round of qualification for the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

GFA Appoints Football Ambassador The Grenada Football Association (GFA) appointed Marlon Glean as its first-ever Football Ambassador on Saturday.

Glean, an attorney and a former GFA Vice President, will be responsible for promoting the GFA and the sport internationally, assist in marketing and supporting Grenada Football Association through his extensive personal contacts and relations overseas.

“We expect him to use his connection in facilitating and bringing talent experts to Grenada, promoting opportunities and ideas for awareness building, and general marketing of Grenada Football Association in Grenada and abroad” said GFA President Cheney Joseph. “Mr. Glean has consistently been attracting and promoting football and opportunities for coaching, training and playing football overseas for Grenadian players and coaches for many years and we are simply formalizing what he has been doing as a patriot.”

Joseph believes the time is right to advance football in the country and that Glean, a former national youth and senior team player and the Chief Executive Officer of Marlon Glean Soccer Academy, is best-suited to lead that charge.

“Grenada needs to create many more international linkages and this is our opportunity to create a synergy with the Diaspora,” Joseph commented. “For too many years we have been talking but no actions taken and with this new appointment, there is the opportunity for a launching pad to take Grenada football forward.”

In related news, the GFA Executive Committee is awaiting the government’s response on a request to acquire lands for the construction of its headquarters. The administration has been working to secure all the required documents to meet a deadline, which will allow for some discussions at the FIFA level.

A Goal Project Committee, headed by Mr. Ken Whiteman, has been established and it has been working towards obtaining all the requisite approvals ahead of an early September deadline.

GFA secures Goal Project from FIFA

GFA President urges for more co-operation Grenada Football Association (GFA) President Cheney Joseph wants more co-operation between the Association, Government and the private sector. The President believe with all hands on board the country can see benefit in the near future.

“We have seen what co-operation did last month when the country celebrated its first gold medal at the summer Olympics in London, and that same co-operation is needed in football if Grenada is to celebrate Gold in football” President Joseph stated.

The GFA cannot do it alone he stated, “we must seek to honestly state our case to government and the private sector that what we as a football association is doing stands to benefit the country” the President reiterated.

“The GFA has been struggling in recent years, some to do with our own misgivings, but we must also be brave to accept these mistakes and move on” the former national player now administrator commented.

“When a player is fouled, he must not remain on the ground and contemplate, he must quickly get up and try to win for his team. The same with the GFA, what has happened in the past should not stop us from moving forward” the President stressed.

The GFA has been seeking partnership for its programs including its Grassroots program, Women’s Program and League competitions.

There are few programs currently being sponsored and the GFA is seeking to reverse its fortune.

Football’s world governing body, FIFA has approved the GOAL Programme in Grenada.

The GOAL Programme allows each member association of FIFA to receive funding for football development projects.

President of the Grenada Football Association, Cheney Joseph, says they are waiting a decision from the Government of Grenada to provide the titles to the land for the construction of the project.

Hon. Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and Hon. Minister of Sports, Patrick Simmons both agreed to ensure that the GFA is provided with the adequate amount of land needed for the project.

Joseph said that the project is expected to provide employment for over 40 persons during the construction phase and more jobs would be created thereafter.

The GFA will receive approximately USD$500,000.00 for the construction of offices, a gym and conference rooms from the GOAL Programme.

The GOAL Programme has to date provided support for over 500 development projects across the world, with a total of USD$200 million having been invested in them.

GFA Grassroots Program The next stop for the GFA Grassroot Management Team is Ahoma, St Andrew’s.

The GFA continues its efforts to establish Grassroot Football throughout the tri islands. Technical Director, Lester Smith, travelled to Vendomme to launch the GFA Grassroot Football Program. Over eighty children turned up on Saturday 22nd September, 2012 to participate in the activities.

national Cricket Captain who provided assistance to the GFA in the promotion of football in Vendomme.

President of the GFA, Cheney Joseph, opened the program and congratulated partnering sponsors, Digicel and The Grenada Bottling Company for their continual support towards the programs.

The GFA also acknowledges the efforts of Franklyn Frederick, a former

The sessions in Vendomme run every Saturday morning from 9:00am to 11:00am.

The launch of the La Borie Grassroot Program was also held simultaneously with the Vendomme launch and forty children were in attendance for the opening.

Youth Football

Women’s Football

The GFA has appointed Franklyn “Nat” Simpson Women Coordinator, and, Dean Jules, Assistant.

The annual Inter-Secondary Football Competition began on the 20th of September.

For this year’s tournament the GFA assisted schools with uniforms as well as provided both administration and technical support.

A series of meetings were held with the Grenada Union of Teachers at the parish level aimed at securing greater involvement with the GFA in Primary Schools.

Additionally, a cadre of coaches has been selected to a panel to identify and select the top quality players at the U-18 and U-14 levels.

Since there appointment on September 1st, both gentlemen have been engaged in the development of women’s football throughout the island. Simpson a former National Coach has been given the nod following the women’s committee proposal to the Executive Committee. Their roles are to; • Provide overall direction and coordination for all Women’s programs in Grenada.

• Administer scheduling of facilities; provide detailed requirements for the procurement of necessary equipment, promotion and registration of all females in GFA Women’s Program.

• Liaise with coaches as necessary with respect to technical aspects of program development for specific camps and evening programs.

Both appointees will report to the Women’s Committee through the GFA Technical Director, Lester Smith.

The GFA long term development plan has received the blessing of FIFA Development Office and the Association through its Chairman of Women’s Football, Mr. Patrick Francis. Francis has expressed delight at such an approval.

The Women’s Football is expected to take flight come November as the GFA anticipates friendly matches with Barbados FA or the St. Vincent & the Grenadines FA.

GFA Donates Uniform to St. Rose Modern Secondary Girls Team Following a request for assistance from games teacher at the school as well as a timely intervention from GFA’s Football Ambassador, the GFA has made its generosity felt when it sponsored the girls team of the St. Rose Modern Secondary School.

The request came as a result of a previous uniform which was also sponsored by the GFA having disappeared from the school’s safe keeping.

Enjoying a healthy diet is all about

Getting the balance right bread, other cereals & potatoes

fruits & vegetables

CFU Caribbean Cup in Grenada at the National Stadium meat, fish & alternatives

milk & dairy foods foods containing fat, food & drinks containing sugar

There are no healthy or unhealthy foods only healthy or unhealthy diets

Nov 14, 16, 18

See you there!!!

Grenada Football Association, National Stadium, Queen’s Park, St. George’s, Grenada Tel: (473) 440-9903, Web: www.gfa.gd, Email: gfa@spiceisle.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GFAGrenada, Twitter: NewsGFA

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