GFA Newsletter Issue4 - January 2013

The THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE GRENADA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Issue 4 - January 2013

President’s New Year’s Message In order to move forward one must reflect on where he has come from, where he is today and then chart the course for the future.

Looking back at 2012, I am satisfied that I have learnt many lessons.

The experiences drawn from these lessons will help navigate my stewardship of our association priorities in 2013.

The focus in 2013 will be on strategic planning for greater institutional strengthening, long term player development, greater coherence amongst the Executive Committee and improved communications with our affiliates and stakeholders.

Improvement in human resource will also be a major focus for the administration in the coming months, as we seek to improve on the overall image of the Grenada Football Association (GFA). The GFA cannot make positive strides if ownership and responsiveness are being ignored at the expense of individualism, maliciousness, indifference and dishonesty.

It is my desire to secure the commitment of the entire membership of the association to work closely towards excellence. For real progress to be accomplished, our Club Administrators must seek to restructure their organisations, provide stability and development opportunities for its members, value volunteerism, initiate clearer visions for the people they serve and focus on institutional strengthening.

We must value the efforts of all the players, coaches, referees and volunteers by becoming “leaders of example” in 2013.

The quality of work coming from our office will be a major priority of mine as we seek to change the culture internally.

Looking forward, I am mindful that change is not a word, it is a process that must be cultivated and the benefits of change can only be rewarded with commitment, team effort and a desire to become better at what we do. Our Administrative arm must either be committed to change or be changed.

The GFA must become more responsive and communicate better this year.

As President, I look forward to the rest of the team taking a proactive approach in delivering to each of their constituency as well as fulfil their roles as team leaders. Raising the bar will be an expectation and the clubs must hold us all accountable if we fail to do so. This year I will be taking a more active role in securing feedback from our affiliates through parish meetings.

It is my understanding from the feedbacks I have been receiving that our clubs wants our Parish Representative to be more visible. This executive committee must be willing to become more genuine more committed and believe in collaboration, consultation, communication and cooperation.

2013 will be more focused on training, human resource development, institutional strengthening and revenue generation.

We must therefore not provide lip service any more but catch the train that is about to leave for an improved organisation inclusive of its members, volunteers, stakeholders and fans.

On this note I wish each and every one of you a prosperous 2013 and may God’s riches be bestowed on you.

In This Issue ▪ Renowned Footballer Alvin Corneal conducts FIFA Grassroots Course ▪ FIFA Grassroots Football Course held 7th - 11th January ▪ Women’s Competitions in 2013 ▪ GFA Match Commissioner Course closer to reality ▪ Kareem Joseph heads to Norway ▪ Two New Committees Established ▪ GFA Seek Cuban Coaching Assistance ▪ The Little Maestro ▪ It starts at the “ROOT” ▪ Grenadians Appointed to Caribbean Football Union Committees ▪ Returning to your Routine

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Renowned Footballer Alvin Corneal conducts FIFA Grassroots Course Thirty one persons attended the first FIFA Grassroots Course in Grenada.

One of Trinidad and Tobago’s most gifted footballers, Alvin Corneal shared his knowledge and expertise with the participants as the Instructor of the course.

Also in attendance of the Opening Ceremony were the President of the GFA, Cheney Joseph; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Veda Bruno-Victor; Marketing Director of Grenada Bottling Company, Aaron La Grenade and Technical Director of the GFA, Lester Smith.

Carriacou was represented with three persons, while Petite Martinique had one participate present for the course.

The three day course comprised of theoretical and practical sessions. The course concluded with a Grassroot Football Festival.

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FIFA Grassroots Football Course held 7th - 11th January

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Women’s Competitions in 2013 It’s an active year for Women’s Football as the Grenada Football Association creates more competitive events for female teams.

The calendar of events for women’s football in 2013 includes the GFA Grassroots Program, Parish League Competition, Girls Primary and Secondary Schools Football and CONCACAF Under 17 and Under 20. In addition, the GFA plans to incorporate its female referees in all aspects of its competitions.

The announcement of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Age Group Competition has already been tentatively set and the association also hopes to be a part of this event.

GFA Women’s Coordinator, Franklyn “Nat” Simpson says he has already established a program to ensure the proper preparation of the ladies. “If we are to develop the sport here in Grenada, we must be willing to invest a lot more time to obtain the necessary results and this will bare fruits in the not too distant future” Simpson said.

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As the GFA seeks to increase the participation of women in football a nationwide recruitment drive will take place in 2013 to continue the association’s efforts to provide women’s football with the attention it needs.

President of the Association, Cheney Joseph is confident that these competitions will provide our female teams with the necessary avenues to grow in the sport.”Everyone involved will benefit. This is about growing women’s football in Grenada and the GFA is just doing its part by facilitating the progress. Now it’s time for the women, coaches, trainers, Match Commissioners and Referee Assessors and volunteers to take what they have learnt and execute it. It’s going to be a great year for Women’s Football “.

Grenada is expected to participate in both the CONCACAF Under seventeen (U17) in July and Under twenty (U20) in October while its Senior Women’s National Team will be making a year round preparation for the inaugural CFU Caribbean Women’s Cup expected to take place in 2014.

GFA Match Commissioner Course closer to reality 2013 will see the introduction of a Match Commissioner Course in Grenada.

President of the Grenada Football Association (GFA), Cheney Joseph says our 2013 Premier League Season will be the first outlet to utilize such training. “We realize the importance of Match Commissioners to football and this is why we feel the need to make this course a priority this year.”

Joseph who recently became a CONCACAF Match Commissioner following his recent training in Miami, Florida seeks for more opportunities for Grenadian administrators in the sport. He believes by securing an official Match Commissioner Seminar here, will be another dream of his accomplished for football.

The association is awaiting confirmation from FIFA to have the expertise of one of the Caribbean’s best Match Commissioners; Barbadian Patrick Beckles to conduct the workshop. “Beckles has been performing the duty of Match Commissioner with distinction and we should be proud of our own Caribbean brothers when they are regarded highly in the region” Joseph expressed.

“Final preparations are currently taking place to have our Grenada Match Commissioners Workshop and once persons have completed the course, we would provide an opportunity for them to be considered and one day accredited by the Caribbean Football Union, CONCACAF and FIFA” Joseph reiterated.

Kareem Joseph heads to Norway Grenada Senior National Men’s Team defender, Kareem Joseph leaves for trials in Norway.

Joseph, who is also a player for the Hurricanes FC made his debut in 2011 during the World Cup Preliminaries against Belize, has secured the opportunity through the efforts of Grenada’s Football Ambassador, Marlon Glean and Altimont Butler.

Victor Daniel has been Grenada’s lone Match Commissioner and has officiated in World Cup, Youth Tournaments, Champions League, Olympic and Confederation Cup tournament in the past and has also served with distinction.

During Butler’s Coaching visit last October, he spotted the powerful defender in one of his sessions and made recommendations to Glean to assist with a trial in Norway.

The rest is now history as Joseph heads to Norway.

The GFA 2013-14 Football Season is expected to start in May this year.

The Grenada Football Association wishes Kareem Joseph all the best as he embarks on another phase in football.

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Two New Committees Established The Executive Committee of the Grenada Football Association (GFA) has approved the formation of two new Committees (The Stadium & Security Committee and the Media & Public Relations Committee.)

The Stadium & Security Committee is chaired by police officer, Corporal Phillip James and deputised by Michael Hyacinth. The other members of the Stadium & Security Committee comprises of Corporal Ron Joseph, former Assistant Superintendent, Rodney Baptiste, former national player and captain Christopher “Tigis” Bernard and one person recommended by the Royal Grenada Police Force.

The Committee will be guided by its Terms of Reference, the GFA Executive Committee Policies and the GFA Statutes (2010 Edition); while the General Secretariat will provide the requisite assistance for the Committee to effectively achieve the deliverables as set out in the Terms of Reference.

The goals of the Stadium & Security Committee are to undertake, plan and oversee responsibilities pertaining to the

Stadium and Security but not limited to these areas. Also, to monitor, review and provide advisory functions to the GFA and the Executive Committee.

Meanwhile, veteran journalist Raymond Roberts has been charged with the responsibility to head the Media & Public Relations Committee with experience journalist and former Vice President of the GFA, Paul Roberts as his deputy. The other members of this committee include Trevor Thwaites, Rawle Titus, Malaika Church, Kitaka Mawuto and Jester Noel.

The Media & Public Relations Committee shall deal with all relations involving the promotion, publications and relations between the Grenada Football Association and local, regional and international media organizations. The Media Committee shall also assist the association with its publication of activities and promote the game of football using all forms of media.

These two additions to the GFA existing committees will seek to improve on the administrative capacity and work towards building closer ties with stakeholders and shareholders in 2013.

GFA Seeks Cuban Coaching Assistance qualified Cuban Football Coaches can facilitate in the growth towards the future development of Grenada’s football. We have seen the success achieved in Haiti and the Dominican Republic at the recent Caribbean Football Union tournament where after just one year of being directly involved in their coaching of these two nations players, both teams were able to make their mark and reach the finals of that tournament”.

Joseph further stated “While we seek to qualify our local coaches, the expertise acquired from the Cubans will help us in properly preparing and developing our players.”

The Grenada Football Association has sought the assistance from Cubans in developing its Youth Program.

Following discussions with the President of the Cuban Football Federation, Mr. Luis Hernandez and the GFA President, Cheney Joseph, a formal request was made where the services of two Cuban Coaches were requested.

Joseph in his letter to the Cuban Football Federation President said “It is our belief that the knowledge learnt from two 6

The Grenada Football Association believes the island has great potential to reach the pinnacle of Caribbean football having reached the CONCACAF Gold Cup on two occasions.

The potential displayed by the association players clearly shows how vital an opportunity like this is in advancing further in football.

The GFA is presently awaiting a response from the Cuban Football Federation.

The Little Maestro It starts at the “ROOT” Shamari Mark may not be a household name, but rest assured De Villa, Victoria, St. Mark’s, where he is from knows about this youngster.

Referred to as the little maestro, Mark is making it his duty to one day represent his country with distinction in Football.

He is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his uncle Steve Mark who represented Grenada with distinction.

Born on July 18th, 1997, Shamari attended the Bonair Government Primary School and then proceeded to St. Mark’s Secondary School.

Committed to both his studies and his love of football Shamari Mark balances a heavy school load of 10 subjects and still maintains a ridged training schedule. In addition to being an accomplished student and talented footballer, Mark also represents Grenada in Athletics and Tennis at the youth level.

He considers Grenada’s Kirani James as one of his inspiration and is setting the bar even higher for himself which he says with confident he will achieve. “My dream is to become a great sportsman, I have achieved many sporting awards and I have been able to represent my country in three of my sporting disciplines, but my drive to strive for more especially in football pushes me forward”. The St. Mark’s native exclaimed.

The little maestro is determined to fly the Grenadian flag high.

His dreams of one day playing professional football in either Holland or Germany is something we all hope he achieves.

The Grenada Football Association extends best wishes to the Mark family and wishes the little Maestro Shamari Mark all the best in his future endeavor.

Youth football in Grenada had its glory days.

Schools, communities, and national bodies organized events which operated as a stepping stone towards making the national teams. The questions which linger in the mind of many were what happened to the Youth Football? Why did certain schools in the past produced national players and other fell by the way? Was it because of the creation of continuity for these students or could it be the lack of organizational structure? This can be debated.

These football events gave every child an opportunity to showcase their football skills and created avenues for motivation towards upward movement. After inter-house competitions the honor to represent their school at junior league and other competitions kept them going.

Today, even if it seems more intense at football competitions, sadly not enough football is being played. The organized structures available are limited for youth participation.

The Grenada Football Association has made it one of its priorities for 2013 to jump start Youth Football and become the driving force along with The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, its clubs and affiliates.

The “glory days” shall return with the support and strength of everyone. This has to be a community effort and the GFA plans to work along with the villages, clubs and other private organizations to ensure that the proper knowledge, skill and attitude are provided to our students from an early age.

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Grenadians Appointed to Caribbean Football Union Committees The Grenada Football Association (GFA) wishes to announce the appointment of two Grenadians to Caribbean Football Union Committees.

Chairman of the GFA Finance Committee, Ken Whiteman has been appointed to serve on the CFU Audit Committee while Marlon Glean has secured appointment to the Football Committee.

Both individuals will serve until 2016.

The GFA extends congratulations to Whiteman and Glean and is confident both men will bring added value to the administration of Football in the Caribbean.

Grenada Football Association encourages more Grenadians to work towards becoming actively involved in other areas of football on the island.

Returning to your Routine The Christmas holidays are over and it’s time to return to Football, but the taste of ham, sorrel and black cake still lingers on your taste buds. The question then is how you revert to a healthy balance diet after having such enticing flavors that you still long for.

Here are some tips to help you get back on track in the New Year: 1. Drink water During the holidays we tend to forget to drink enough water. When you feel hungry, try to satiate your hunger with a glass of water. You can even include a splash of lime to help curb your appetite. If you’re still feeling hungry 15-20 minutes later, have a small nutritious snack to help.

2. Eliminate the holiday treats By now you would know that the holiday treats will have to be eliminated. Snacks loaded with sugar, salt and refined carbohydrates are food groups that you should try to avoid. These food groups can take a toll on your body in many ways. Choose more whole foods and freshly prepared dishes to give your body the best nutrients possible.

3. Veggies Make a list of your favorite veggies, and finding creative ways to integrate them into your meals and snacks.

4. Ease your way back into exercise Gradually move your body back into a progressive approach and slowly build back into your pre-holiday routine. If you have been training 4-5 times a week before the holidays, you should be aiming for 2-3 days for the first few weeks of the new year.

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