Sinclair hails impact of Flow's Skills Challenge

Aspiring football stars Brian Burkett and Ronaldo Clarke left the island on Wednesday to take their place among 28 young footballers advancing to this weekend's (March 23-25) Flow Skills Ultimate Football Experience Grand Finale in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Burkett, who was the champion boy in the 12-13 age group, and Clarke, who won in the 14-16 category, were selected from well over 100 participants, including four females, who participated in the Flow Football Experience qualifier held in Jamaica in January.

According to Garry Sinclair, CWC Caribbean president, "These youngsters have the enviable and unique privilege of being exposed to the highest level of football coaching skills and techniques courtesy of the biggest and most prestigious Football Club in the world: Manchester United.

They are in for an amazing weekend, and my advice to them would be to grasp this opportunity with both hands and absorb everything."

During the course of the Flow Skills competition, close to 700 boys and girls between the ages of 12 to 16 years old from across 14 Flow Caribbean markets competed, culminating in reaching the finals in Trinidad for a shot at the ultimate prize: a trip to the Theatre of Dreams - Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Both winners will be chaperoned by his or her coach and a parent.

Exposure

All participants will be exposed to the famous Manchester United Soccer School training techniques and some of their celebrated coaches. Tobagonian MU Legend Dwight Yorke will also interact with the finalists at the St Joseph's Convent grounds in Port of Spain during the weekend of activities, and he will share words of encouragement and tips on how they can 'up' their game.

Garry Sinclair also said, "I am excited by the prospect of Flow Skills' long-term contribution to the development of the sport in the Caribbean. However, Flow Skills does more than simply underscore our commitment to the development of football across the region.

Look at all the lives this initiative impacts for good. Emerging on top this weekend is going to be important, but what will be of even more significance will be the indelible imprint this initiative leaves on the hearts and minds of participants for years to come regardless of whether they pursue football as a career or not. They'll never forget this moment in time."