David Beckham has fulfilled a long-standing personal commitment to FIFA Vice-President and CONCACAF President Jack Warner by bringing his Academy to the Marvin Lee Stadium in Trinidad to coach local young players and coaches.
The Academy is providing football and life skills programmes as well as coaching workshops to almost 500 young players and coaches over a six day visit. Beckham was present for the first day of activity after making his promise at the FIFA World Cup 2010 Final Draw in Cape Town last December.
LA Galaxy star Beckham took part in a round of activities for over two hours after touring the pitches with Jack Warner and showing him the Academy in action.
Manchester United legend Beckham said: "I made a promise to Mr Warner and it's great to be here and to see the kids playing the game and having fun. That's what this day is all about. It's also a demonstration of what we can do if England is successful in winning the right to host the FIFA World Cup TM in 2018. Having the World Cup would be not just about our country but about leaving a legacy all over the world. People in our country are brought up on the game from an early age. We love the game so much; we're passionate about it and something like this proves that we're serious about this sort of project and serious about leaving that legacy.
"My schedule has worked out perfectly. I was able to come here and see the under-17 girls FIFA World Cup final before this event. The standard was impressive, there were a lot of goals and the women's and girl's game is very much a part of what we're delivering. So it's worked out really well."
There are six days of activity during the Academy's visit. Yesterday, staff worked with local coaches for the first time and today was the first opportunity to work with young players during a round-robin tournament. The sessions are designed to incorporate fun-based, educational activities for boys and girls of all abilities and also coaching workshops. On Wednesday, the Academy will hold a mini-soccer session in Tobago.
The David Beckham Academy is an integral part of the England 2018/22 FIFA World Cup bid legacy plans and will deliver bespoke football and life skills projects in each Confederation each year until 2017 should the bid be successful. This week's project is intended to demonstrate how this global concept would continue English football's track record of investing in football and social development around the world.
