Digicel just launched the Digicel Kick Start Clinics 2010, once again featuring former England and Liverpool legend, John Barnes, as Head Coach.

Kicking off on July 20th in Trinidad & Tobago, before moving on to Panama, El Salvador and Honduras, the third Digicel Kick Start Clinics will see 100 talented young footballers receive expert coaching in the beautiful game. At the end of the four Digicel Kick Start Clinics, John Barnes will select eight of the most talented footballers, who will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to train with some of the best football coaches in the world at English Premier League Club, Sunderland AFC. This is the third consecutive year that Sunderland has partnered with Digicel in the project.

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 English Premier League Club, 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.”

Jack Warner, Vice President of FIFA and President of the CFU and CONCACAF, said; “Football is one of the most popular sports in the world and I’m delighted that Digicel, as one of the biggest supporters of the development of football in the region, is hosting the Digicel Kick Start Clinics for the third year running. It is important that up and coming young footballers get the opportunity to learn from experienced international coaches.”

Digicel Head of Sponsorship, Karl Donnelly, said of the upcoming Digicel Kick Start Clinics; “We are delighted to be bringing the Digicel Kick Start Clinics back to the Caribbean and Central America. At Digicel, we are committed to supporting the development of football across the region and we believe that the Digicel Kick Start Clinics give aspiring young footballers a fantastic opportunity to learn valuable football skills under the guidance of professional coaches with a wealth of international experience.”

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.”

The Digicel Kick Start Clinics are supported by Jack Warner, Vice President of FIFA and President of both CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union.

Digicel has been involved in a wide range of football initiatives designed to support the development of football in the Caribbean and Central America over the last six years. Digicel, which has operations in 32 countries worldwide, sponsors 17 Football Federations and Leagues, as well as the Digicel Caribbean Cup and the Copa de Naciones Digicel in Central America.