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Two of the country’s former top footballers, Lincoln “Tiger” Phillips and Alvin Corneal will be guest speakers when Marabella Flames launches it Youth Football Academy on Sunday at the San Fernando Government Secondary School on Todd Street, from 3 pm. Also listed to speak along with Phillips, who is the Technical Director of the T&T Football Federation (TTFF), and Corneal, will be Dexter Skeene, the CEO of the T&T Professional Football League.

By establishing its Youth Football Academy in southern Trinidad, Marabella Flames hopes to continue the rich tradition of giving back by making a positive impact on community values and individual lives in 2009. The academy will focus on spending significant time and energy on a number of different developmental programmes. The Flames’ considerable outreach efforts has been highlighted by an agreement made between San Fernando Government Secondary School “Mod-Sec” and the Marabella Football Flames Ltd, on enrolling a youth development programme within the school.

“I am beyond ecstatic for what we are about to establish in a facility I hold close to my heart,” said Anthony Lambert, President of Flames. “This is a great opportunity for me to give back to the school I once attended,” he added. “We look forward to building upon our efforts and making more of a positive impact in the community in 2009 and beyond.” Part of the 2009 season, according to Lambert, will focus on creating fund raising programmes for the improvement of the school facility, including but not limited to, community activities and events, team auctions, and collection drives. In addition, new fund-raisers and school programmes will be implemented.

The priority of the Flames Academy is the players’ development, technical/skills and tactical/decisions, education and fun. “Our programme is designed to develop imaginative, creative and passionate players who will play this beautiful game with confidence, flair and excitement,” said former Belmont Secondary and St Mary’s College standout Dario Trujillo, who is Senior Vice President of Flames. “Our objective is to help the youths become more comfortable with the modern state of the game. This in turn, will help the individual in becoming a better decision maker as a player.” An addition to the Flames Academy is Anthony Noreiga, who is Director of Youth Development.

A former George Mason standout in the United States and an international player who sustained head injuries during a game against the United States in the 2007 Concacaf Goal Cup Competition “gets his quote”. Terrance Marcelle, one of TTFF’s Southern youth selectors, will be Noreiga’s assistant. Some of the Flames Academy state of art training equipment will be displayed at Sunday’s launch. The academy will officially begin on February 9 and will cater for youths Under-13 to Under-19. Registration will begin at the launch.