CIFA kicks off prison footie programme
(L-R) Aduke Joseph-Caesar of HMCIPS; Lee Ramoon, CIFA President; Neil Lavis, HMCIPS Director; Wendy Fisher of CIFA; and Richard Barton of HMCIPS
(CNS Local Life): The Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) and HM Cayman Islands Prison Service (HMCIPS) are partnering to enable prisoners to acquire internationally accepted qualifications in refereeing and coaching, as well as improve their playing skills under the tutelage of CIFA volunteers. In exchange, under the partnership that was launched 4 May, prisoners at HMP Northward have been producing much-needed benches and picnic tables to furnish the CIFA Centre for Excellence located in Prospect.
Prison Director Neil Lavis presented CIFA President Lee Ramoon with the first examples of the prison-built furniture as the association delivered football equipment to HMP Northward and toured its sporting facilities.
Participating prisoners will be screened to ensure they satisfy local requirements for membership as CIFA referees or coaches, and then undergo a 16-week training programme delivered by CIFA-approved coaches and referees. Following successful completion of the course, prisoners will receive first aid and child abuse prevention certifications before accessing CONCACAF and FIFA licensing opportunities.
The programme is intended to provide eligible prisoners with transferable skills that will contribute to their re-integration into the community.
The first training period will begin in June 2017 with up to 15 current inmates.
Category: Football, Prison Service
CIFA + Prison Inmates……… Sounds like a partnership!