John Barnes Coaches Caribbean youngsters

Former England star and Sunderland AFC search for the region’s best talent

England 2018 Vice-President, John Barnes, is working as Head Coach of the Digicel Kick Start Clinics to search for gifted young footballers to train with English Premier League Club, Sunderland AFC.

The clinics, which are taking place this summer in Trinidad & Tobago, Panama, El Salvador and Honduras, will see 100 talented young footballers receive expert coaching.  At the end of the four Digicel Kick Start Clinics, John Barnes will select eight of the most talented footballers, who will be given an opportunity to train at Sunderland AFC.

Commenting on the Digicel Kick Start Clinics and his role as Head Coach, John Barnes said: "The Digicel Kick Start Clinics are a fantastic initiative which searches for the best and brightest footballers to give them the opportunity to train under professional coaches and to be in with a chance to spend one week training at the Academy of Light at Sunderland AFC.

"Over the past four years, we have seen a wealth of talent emerge from each of the countries the Clinics have visited and I’m excited to meet this year’s crop of talent."

Sunderland AFC’s Marketing and Commercial Director, Lesley Callaghan, added: "Sunderland AFC is delighted to once again partner with Digicel as part of the Digicel Kick Start Clinics.

"This is the third year of our partnership and the alliance continues to flourish. We are delighted to be able to give these talented young footballers the opportunity to train at our club and in the Academy of Light, as we have one of the best training facilities in Europe. It will be an invaluable experience for them to see how a Premier League club operates and to train alongside a host of international football stars."

To read more about England 2018’s plans for football and social development projects please click here.  For more information about the Digicel Kick Start Clinics visit www.digicelfootball.com.