2010 Program Kick Off in Kumba

Cameroon Football Development Program Leaders Pave the Way

Program Leaders stand before the gate at Government Technical High School - Kumba. Many of them have been around since Day 1, when we began to reach out to the Kumba community to determine if the need /want for a program like this existed (March 2010). Their dedication is evident through their actions. Together we are building the foundation for a sustainable program in Cameroon.

We All Teach. We All Learn.

Leaders engage in discussions during a morning training session in a Government Technical High School classroom. At this time we worked to develop a method to create an interactive learning atmosphere to present health and social topics to youth. No lectures! No adult/child relationship! With the right approach, leaders break down many barriers on the football pitch which allow for free-flow of ideas and exchange of knowledge.

'CFDP Dey Done Come-o'

Leaders practice football drills which they will later implement in the youth camps. It is important to incorporate football skills into the curriculum of the program to challenge the youth both physically and mentally. When they succeed in mastering the basics of football, they build self confidence which can carry over on the pitch and in other parts of their life.

During the training sessions, we began a chant/song that will hopefully carry on as long as the Cameroon Football Development Program lives...

"CFDP dey done come-o

Man wey de sleep,

Make he wake up!"

Translation (Pidgin to English): CFDP has arrived. Anyone who is sleeping should wake up to see!

Dedication: No Matter Rain or Shine

CFDP Cameroon Coordinator, Ngwane Peter (center) stretches out the team to finish up an afternoon training session on the pitch. It rained that afternoon - hard. August is considered the 'heart' of the Rainy Season, though we saw much sunshine during the two-week Kick Off.

Meeting of Minds

Program Leaders sit together one afternoon to discuss logistics for running youth camps. Checklist: food for all participants, warm-up drills, schedule for discussion topics, football drills, surveys for collecting data, clean water...Good to go!

Brian Leads Morning Football Drills

Youth learn the importance of ball control with a series of dribbling exercises. Leaders encourage them to practice with their 'weak' foot, something many of them are not used to doing. Over 100 youth attend camps over three days. They each receive a t-shirt donated by the Passback Program (University of Oregon World Cup 2009 and 2010). They will surely never forget this experience.

More Football Drills

Here, youth dribble in and out of cones while trying to maintain control of the ball.

Ashu Leads a Group Discussion

Each day youth were separated into groups based on age. This allowed leaders to adjust the presentation of their topic to facilitate appropriate discussion. For example, groups of older youth who were sexually active (We know, we asked!) were engaged in discussion on limiting number of partners, condom use everytime, and getting tested for HIV. Groups of younger youth were encouraged to abstain from sexual activity until they were more responsible and mature (physically and mentally).

Afternoon Friendly Match with Peers

Here, youth play small -sided games after lunch. Leaders acted as coaches and referees during this part of the camps. In addition to having fun, youth are encouraged to implement skills they learned earlier in the day during match play.