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HOPE THROUGH FOOTBALL - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 15
With over US$1.2 billion in tourism, transportation and telecom investments by Spanish companies in Jamaica over the last decade, the relationship between the two countries has contributed significantly to economic growth and spurred collaborations in many areas. In April 2010, The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation spearheaded the opening of a ‘Real Madrid Football School for Social Integration’ in Rose Hall, defined through Real Madrid’s concept of “educating young people through the values of sport”. Clearly, no international footballer could be a better role model than Spanish soccer star Emilio Butragueño, also referred to as the “Gentleman of the Pitch”, who added his special brand of magic to the official opening of the school this past April.
Said acclaimed football star Emilio Butragueño, Director of Institutional Relations for the Real Madrid Football Club, who came to Jamaica for the launch of the first phase of the ‘Real Madrid Football School’ in Rose Hall, “We want to help young people develop positive values through the game of football.” The Spanish footballer, who officially opened the school with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Rose Hall football field, expressed Real Madrid Foundation’s delight at being able to introduce the program to Jamaica. Added Butragueño, following a formal signing ceremony by the partners in Kingston, “I am convinced that this project will be a big success, and that today’s signing is the beginning of a fruitful and long-lasting project.”
With his love for the game of soccer, Butragueño is the ultimate role model for any aspiring footballer. Cheerfully transmitting a bit of star power to his recently acquired collection of young, Jamaican protégées at the Rose Hall football field, Butragueño was quickly surrounded by young players hoping to touch or exchange a word with the celebrity player. Revered as a genius on the pitch, no other player embodies the spirit of fair play and heart quite like Butragueño, who pretty much holds the status of ‘national hero’ in Spain. One of the world’s most prominent attackers in the mid-eighties, nicknamed “The Vulture” (“El Buitre”) for his amazing capacity to score goals, he held the distinction of never receiving a single red card during his entire career upon his retirement in 1998.
Undeniably the greatest Spanish player to ever partake in the World Cup, Butragueño played 69 international matches for Spain’s national squad and scored 26 goals during his remarkable football career, which included 9 games in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. He distinguished himself by becoming one of the few players ever to have scored 4 goals in a World Cup match, when the unstoppable striker went on a rampage in the second round match of the 1986 tournament in Mexico against Denmark, beating the favorite team 5 – 1 in a jaw-dropping performance which forever wrote his name into the history books.
The story of how this international icon from the Spanish mega club came to add his special allure to the local football school is a chronicle of how many different people working together towards a common goal can create long lasting, meaningful change. The seeds for the local ‘Real Madrid Football Club’ were first sown by Marc Rollins of Rose Hall Developments, who has organized a summer Football Camp for the children of the Barrettown SOS Village several years running. An annual highlight for many of the local children, ideas flourished of how to make the event a more permanent offer to the area’s children.
When Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva reached out to the Real Madrid Foundation and convinced them to partner with the project, the idea was transformed into reality. Said Butragueño, “The strong local support of The Spanish Jamaican Foundation, Rose Hall Developments and the St. James Parish Council were determining factors in our decision to establish a Real Madrid Football School in Rose Hall. Our school depends on support from the local community.”
With similar projects already established in 15 other countries, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the initiative will provide sports education to inner city St. James children between the ages of 7 and 11. Explained Butragueño, “The focus is on social integration, training youngsters through solidarity, community and social service. Real Madrid defines this idea as ‘educating young people through the values of sport’.”
Through the initiative, youngsters from some of the most troubled communities in Montego Bay have been afforded an avenue to develop both their football and their social skills. Said Spain’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesus Silva, “We are very grateful to the Real Madrid Foundation for supporting this endeavor.” The Ambassador highlighted that sports, especially football, is of common interest to children and can be used to foster social integration. “This promising and ambitious program is geared towards much more than creating football stars. Real Madrid has established a model, in which children are invited to be part of a football school. At the same time, you teach other values which are intrinsic to football, teamwork, unselfishness and doing something for others.”
According to Jesus Silva, Ambassador of Spain and President of The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation, the second phase of the project includes the construction of permanent structures on land donated by Rose Hall Developments in the Rose Hall area. Stated Silva, “We are going to start a fund-raising campaign to build two football fields, classrooms and changing rooms. The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation is going to be responsible for funding the day-to-day running of the school.”
During its first year, the school is expected to provide training for 30 to 50 boys and girls between 6 and 12 years old on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Children must maintain an average of 50 percent in their academic work to keep their place at the school, another idea adopted from Marc Rollins’ yearly Football Camp. Former Reggae Boyz goalkeeper, Aaron Lawrence, is heading up the school as the Technical Director. Said Lawrence, “I always dreamed of helping youngsters become better persons and better footballers, when I was finished playing.”
For more information, please log on to www.spanishjamaicanfoundation.org, e-mail generalmanager.spjf@gmail.com or call 929-5555.
Said acclaimed football star Emilio Butragueño, Director of Institutional Relations for the Real Madrid Football Club, who came to Jamaica for the launch of the first phase of the ‘Real Madrid Football School’ in Rose Hall, “We want to help young people develop positive values through the game of football.” The Spanish footballer, who officially opened the school with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Rose Hall football field, expressed Real Madrid Foundation’s delight at being able to introduce the program to Jamaica. Added Butragueño, following a formal signing ceremony by the partners in Kingston, “I am convinced that this project will be a big success, and that today’s signing is the beginning of a fruitful and long-lasting project.”
With his love for the game of soccer, Butragueño is the ultimate role model for any aspiring footballer. Cheerfully transmitting a bit of star power to his recently acquired collection of young, Jamaican protégées at the Rose Hall football field, Butragueño was quickly surrounded by young players hoping to touch or exchange a word with the celebrity player. Revered as a genius on the pitch, no other player embodies the spirit of fair play and heart quite like Butragueño, who pretty much holds the status of ‘national hero’ in Spain. One of the world’s most prominent attackers in the mid-eighties, nicknamed “The Vulture” (“El Buitre”) for his amazing capacity to score goals, he held the distinction of never receiving a single red card during his entire career upon his retirement in 1998.
Undeniably the greatest Spanish player to ever partake in the World Cup, Butragueño played 69 international matches for Spain’s national squad and scored 26 goals during his remarkable football career, which included 9 games in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. He distinguished himself by becoming one of the few players ever to have scored 4 goals in a World Cup match, when the unstoppable striker went on a rampage in the second round match of the 1986 tournament in Mexico against Denmark, beating the favorite team 5 – 1 in a jaw-dropping performance which forever wrote his name into the history books.
The story of how this international icon from the Spanish mega club came to add his special allure to the local football school is a chronicle of how many different people working together towards a common goal can create long lasting, meaningful change. The seeds for the local ‘Real Madrid Football Club’ were first sown by Marc Rollins of Rose Hall Developments, who has organized a summer Football Camp for the children of the Barrettown SOS Village several years running. An annual highlight for many of the local children, ideas flourished of how to make the event a more permanent offer to the area’s children.
When Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva reached out to the Real Madrid Foundation and convinced them to partner with the project, the idea was transformed into reality. Said Butragueño, “The strong local support of The Spanish Jamaican Foundation, Rose Hall Developments and the St. James Parish Council were determining factors in our decision to establish a Real Madrid Football School in Rose Hall. Our school depends on support from the local community.”
With similar projects already established in 15 other countries, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the initiative will provide sports education to inner city St. James children between the ages of 7 and 11. Explained Butragueño, “The focus is on social integration, training youngsters through solidarity, community and social service. Real Madrid defines this idea as ‘educating young people through the values of sport’.”
Through the initiative, youngsters from some of the most troubled communities in Montego Bay have been afforded an avenue to develop both their football and their social skills. Said Spain’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesus Silva, “We are very grateful to the Real Madrid Foundation for supporting this endeavor.” The Ambassador highlighted that sports, especially football, is of common interest to children and can be used to foster social integration. “This promising and ambitious program is geared towards much more than creating football stars. Real Madrid has established a model, in which children are invited to be part of a football school. At the same time, you teach other values which are intrinsic to football, teamwork, unselfishness and doing something for others.”
According to Jesus Silva, Ambassador of Spain and President of The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation, the second phase of the project includes the construction of permanent structures on land donated by Rose Hall Developments in the Rose Hall area. Stated Silva, “We are going to start a fund-raising campaign to build two football fields, classrooms and changing rooms. The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation is going to be responsible for funding the day-to-day running of the school.”
During its first year, the school is expected to provide training for 30 to 50 boys and girls between 6 and 12 years old on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Children must maintain an average of 50 percent in their academic work to keep their place at the school, another idea adopted from Marc Rollins’ yearly Football Camp. Former Reggae Boyz goalkeeper, Aaron Lawrence, is heading up the school as the Technical Director. Said Lawrence, “I always dreamed of helping youngsters become better persons and better footballers, when I was finished playing.”
For more information, please log on to www.spanishjamaicanfoundation.org, e-mail generalmanager.spjf@gmail.com or call 929-5555.
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