With the aim of providing adequate and appropriate housing for footballers, especially those encamped at the national youth level, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has invested in a spanking new dorm facility at the National Training Centre at Providence.
Located within the compound of the East Bank Demerara venue, the dorm can house up to about 40 persons at a particular time.
The dormitory facility, along with a gym, was commissioned on Wednesday by members of the national Male Under-20 squad, currently encamped at the venue, in the company of president of the Guyana Football Federation Wayne Forde and Technical Director Bryan Joseph.
The facility is outfitted with sturdy bunk beds and is fully air-conditioned.
Forde explained that the investment is necessary, as apart from providing players with the best possible accommodation while preparing for national duties, this facility will also help to significantly increase and improve the time players spend with coaches during that preparatory phase.
The contact time between players and coaches, Forde added, is a vital component of the development pathway.
“And if we have good facilities where the boys and girls can enjoy and look forward to coming out here and spend weekends and weeks during their preparation processes then that will certain bode well for the contact goals we have set ourselves,” Forde said.
“This is not something that existed before, and we’re happy to achieve this goal.”
The investment is approximately G$9.3 million, which covers the cost of beds, self-contained washrooms and basic amenities.
“We’re not going to be able to replicate the conditions that they (the players) have at home. I don’t believe that’s a goal we have set ourselves, but we want to make sure that once they’re here, they’re comfortable, but above all, they’re safe,” Forde mentioned in the presence of the players.
And to ensure safety is paramount, Forde highlighted that part of the design is a special self-contained space for an individual to be housed during encampment periods.
“And that room is dedicated for a parent,” the GFF boss announced.
“Once a youth national team comes into camp, we will interview the parents- of course do our due diligence and background (checks)- and we will identify a parent who is willing to come and spend some time, and of course we will compensate them for the time.”
Forde explained that the parent will serve as a “second pair of eyes” for the GFF in ensuring all systems are adhered to during encampment and challenges and issues are amicably resolved.
Importantly, Forde highlighted, the facility is available, at a small cost, to other associations and federations that currently face challenges with finding accommodation for national teams.
Commenting on the establishment of a fully outfitted gym, complete with a designated trainer, TD Joseph said this is another step in the right direction for local football.
“It’s part of the transformation that we’ve been going through with all our national teams. We have, over the past couple of years, improved our performances at all national youth levels, but this component was always missing,” Joseph asserted.
This facility will significantly boost Strength and Conditioning of all national teams, a prospect that Joseph is enthused by. He related this is all part of creating a high performance environment at the National Training Centre.
Joseph added that avenues are being pursued to bolster the Strength and Conditioning unit by engaging full-time professionals to guide the preparation of players for on-field duties.
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