Butler: Time for Ja, Caribbean to unleash true football potential

Phoenix Academy CEO Craig Butler believes it is time for Jamaica and Caribbean nations to start realising their ‘true potential’ in football and stop limiting their children in what they can achieve in the sport.

Speaking at the launch of this weekend’s Grace Mighty Malt Victory Cup youth football tournament on Wednesday at the GraceKennedy building in Kingston, Butler, in an inspirational speech, called on parents and educators to stop treating sports as an extracurricular activity and start supporting their children in their ambitions to become professional footballers.

“As a nation, even the entire Caribbean, we are not realising our true potential, because we limit ourselves. We limit our children.

“Give them the true support that says you can be a professional footballer and it’s a good career,” the guest speaker stated.

He pointed out that it is normal for Jamaicans and people of the Caribbean to look at football as an extracurricular activity.

He recalled going to Jamaica College with Leon Bailey and Kyle Butler, and being told by a vice-principal that they need to do their schoolwork because football is just an extracurricular activity.

“I asked what are the highest paid legal professions in the world? They are in sports. Footballers are also among the highest paid sportsmen and football has the most professional teams in the world.

“So, why shouldn’t we look at these children and say to them, work on your academics to support your chosen career of football? And this is the difference that is needed,” he told the audience.

He added that the true pathway to success is “preparation, preparation, preparation” and focusing on developing technique.

“Some of my best players went through the Pro Nation series. Sean Leighton, Skyler McFarlane, and the most important thing you can do for the children, if you want them to have a chance to make it as a pro, is to ensure that they focus on technique.

“At this age, they cannot get tired. They need technique, technique, technique. They need to work on both feet, public speaking, image projection, how to carry themselves, and how to shake hands. These things are key towards them having confidence.”

Over 90 teams ranging from under-7 to under-17 will vie for the various age-group honours today and tomorrow. There will also be an under-16 girls’ competition. Group stage games are scheduled for today while quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals will take place tomorrow.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com