FC International Scores Big

It Boosts Sports & Youth Development at Sir John A. Cumber YMCA After-School Programme

FC International has again stepped onto the pitch for young people at the Sir John A. Cumber Primary Extended After-School Programme through the YMCA, deepening a partnership aimed at strengthening sports, character and community development for students.

A mission-driven partnership The YMCA’s after-school programme supports a broad set of aims — promoting educational, recreational and cultural development; providing academic and homework support; encouraging personal development, health and well-being; building school–community relationships; cultivating leadership; involving families; meeting children’s needs and interests; and promoting character development. FC International’s involvement aligns squarely with those goals, bringing sport-based learning and resources that enhance both physical skills and life skills.

FC International (a Cayman Islands non-profit founded in 1993 that runs football camps for children ages 4-16 and community initiatives such as the Girls Football Festival) now in its second year of supporting the programme, had made two visits this term (October 13 and November 17, 2025) with an eye toward a long-term partnership.

During those visits the organisation delivered:

• Motivational workshops that emphasised teamwork, discipline and leadership.

• Sponsorship of essential football gear including shirts and footballs, enabling regular practice and match play.

• Regular treats and refreshments to reward effort and build community spirit.

• Hands-on coaching and skill-building sessions that tied directly into YMCA activities such as KidFit, Outdoor Explore and Football.

Impact and scale

The Sir John A. Cumber Extended After-School Programme currently registers 127 students with daily attendance around 115. The programme offers a wide variety of activities — KidFit, STEM, Creative Arts, Literacy, It’s My Y-Character Development, Homework Support, Learning Through Play, Outdoor Explore, Project Grow, Football and Netball. It is supported by a student-to-counsellor ratio of 13:1. FC International’s contributions have bolstered the sports strand of the programme and reinforced cross-cutting aims such as character development, leadership and health and well-being.

Support Base

FC International contributors include; Lenny Hugh, Fabian O’Connor, Ms. Kadean Tyson, Marie Martin, Amelia Fosuhene, Kennedy Ebanks , Ralph Williams and Jewel Hydes. They worked closely with YMCA staff — Ms. Gerriann Foster (Site Coordinator)-, Rhuel Smith (Assistant Site Coordinator) Earl Johnson, Nigel Francis and other dedicated team members — to deliver quality sessions and lay groundwork for continued collaboration.

Voices from the programme Staff and students report immediate benefits: improved enthusiasm for sport, better access to equipment, and renewed interest in teamwork and healthy habits. YMCA leaders note that the motivational sessions and practical gear directly support student engagement across academic and recreational activities.

Looking ahead

With two successful visits already this school year and plans to build a longer-term partnership, FC International’s growing involvement promises sustained benefits: more consistent football programming, enhanced opportunities for leadership development, and stronger ties between the school, YMCA and wider community. Organisers say future plans include expanded coaching sessions, more joint events like festivals or mini-tournaments, and continued support for the programme’s holistic aims.

FC International’s sustained, community-centred approach demonstrates how sport can be a powerful vehicle for personal growth, academic engagement and community connection — exactly the kinds of outcomes the YMCA after-school programme aims to achieve.