Digicel (Barbados) Ltd., is playing a major role in ensuring that young local footballer, Brendan Sidaway, can capitalize on a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to study at Merrist Wood College in Surrey, England, home of the Chelsea FC Foundation Ladies and Mens Football Academy.

Sidaway took part in the 2015 Digicel Kickstart Clinics in March, which sees the region’s top youth footballers from nine different countries put through their paces by coaches from the Chelsea FC Foundation – an opportunity which has been opening many doors for him to further his career in the game.

The 16-year old was one of three boys chosen from the clinic to attend a one-week Digicel Academy and so impressed Chelsea FC Foundation’s Senior International Football Development Officer, David Monk, that he was advised to apply to Merrist.

His father Rory explained that after making the application, Brendan was interviewed by the Sports Tutor at Merrist, Antony Wood, and offered a place in the two-year BTEC Level III Sport course. This is suited for anyone interested in working within the sports and leisure industry in careers such as coaching, sports development, teaching, governing body or club administration, fitness instruction or personal training, leisure centre management or sales and marketing or individuals who desire to develop their football and aim to progress on to the highest levels of football.

“It will include sessions with professional coaches from the Chelsea FC Foundation, training and fixtures at the Chelsea FC Training Facility, participation in a number of competitions including the British Colleges National Cup; performance strength and conditioning coaching and access to top-of-the line training facilities and equipment.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for Brendan and his club and we want to thank Digicel for assisting us in making this dream a reality. It would not have been possible without, firstly the opportunity to take part in the Digicel Clinic and Academy and, secondly, the assistance for him to attend Merrist. We are sure Brendan will do Digicel proud and we are very grateful for their support,” Sidaway stated.

CEO of Digicel, Johnny Ingle, congratulated Sidaway and wished him the best of luck. He told him, “Opportunities like this do not come along every day and Digicel is more than happy to be able to assist and be a part of this fantastic journey. Brendan, we will be keeping up-to-date with your progress over the next two years and I want to encourage you to continue to strive for excellence. Make us all proud and continue to be an extraordinary individual.”

The Digicel Kickstart Clinics, now in the eighth year, are designed to develop the Caribbean’s aspiring young footballers through intense two-day training sessions. The last three were hosted by coaches from the Chelsea FC Foundation.