More Than Football: FC International Continues 33 - Year Mission to Shape Cayman’s Youth

Free summer camp combines football, mentorship, meals and life lessons for Cayman’s children

For some children, it was a week of football, fun, friendship, t-shirts and ice cream. For FC International, it was something much bigger — another opportunity to invest in the future of the Cayman Islands.

From August 10–14, 2026, boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 16 gathered at Marie Martin Primary School in George Town for FC International’s annual summer football camp.

The five-day programme was offered free of charge, ensuring that children could participate regardless of their families’ financial circumstances. Throughout the week, participants received meals, took part in football activities and enjoyed an ice cream treat from a van stationed at the school, together with receiving an fc international t-shirt.

But beneath the football and fun was a deeper message: sport can be a powerful tool for developing young people and helping them make positive choices.

For FC International, that philosophy is nothing new.

Since 1994, the club has been conducting summer football camps as part of its commitment to giving back to the young people of the Cayman Islands. What began as a football initiative has developed into a broader youth-development effort, using sport as a platform to teach teamwork, discipline, respect, healthy living and responsibility.

This year’s programme forms part of an eight-camp summer series taking place throughout the Cayman Islands, including Cayman Brac.

A lesson from “A Pillar of The Community”

Among the special guests at the conclusion of the George Town camp was well-known local businessman, ex-player, ex-coach and philanthropist, Mr. Lenny Hew, affectionately known to many as “Mr. Lenny.”

Lenny has been a longtime supporter of FC International and its efforts to positively influence young people.

For Lenny, his involvement is not about recognition or publicity.

“I have always supported FC International with their plight to assist the youth of these islands. The reason I do this is not for fame; I do this because I genuinely care about helping people to succeed.”

Rather than delivering a formal speech, Lenny chose to engage the children through

conversation — something he says often produces unexpected and memorable moments.

“You know what is funny? I have no idea what I will say to these kids, but something always comes through.”

One such conversation began with a simple question about football.

Lenny asked the children whether they had watched the World Cup. The response was an enthusiastic “yes.”

He then asked them whether they had ever seen football superstar Lionel Messi make a mistake.

That question became the starting point for a much bigger lesson.

The conversation moved from Messi to the beautiful game itself and, ultimately, to the importance of teamwork. Lenny reminded the children that football is not played by one person. Players must depend on one another, support one another and work together if the team is to succeed.

The message was simple: the same principles that make a good football team can help build a strong community.

Lenny also recalled another moment that brought a smile to his face.

One of the children approached him and said, “Thank you for creating football.”

Lenny understood that the child had simply mixed up his words, but the innocence of the comment stayed with him.

“Sometimes they say something that just makes you smile.”

Those spontaneous moments, he said, are part of what makes his involvement worthwhile.

Lenny also praised the management of FC International for their continued work with young people.

“I like what FC International are doing, and what they stand for, and I will continue to assist them.”

Using football to change lives

The children also heard from Mr. David Justin Fosuhene, a visiting youth justice and gangs worker and football coach from England.

Fosuhene brought a different perspective to the camp, speaking openly with the young participants about intervention, mentorship and the importance of making positive choices.

Drawing on his experience working with young people throughout communities in England, he spoke about the challenges that can confront young people and the importance of having positive influences in their lives.

His message was particularly focused on helping young people avoid becoming involved in criminal lifestyles.

As a football coach, Fosuhene encouraged the children to view sport as more than recreation. Football, he explained, can teach discipline, commitment, teamwork and self-control while providing a healthy and positive outlet.

For some young people, a football field can be more than a place to play — it can become a place where they find purpose, encouragement and people who believe in them.

Building more than footballers

The philosophy behind FC International’s summer camps is rooted in the belief that developing young people requires more than teaching them how to score goals.

It requires creating opportunities.

It requires providing positive role models.

It requires ensuring that children feel valued.

And, perhaps most importantly, it requires showing them that their future can be different from the challenges they may see around them.

That was evident throughout the week at Marie Martin Primary School, where football was combined with food, fellowship, mentorship and fun.

For the children, the week may have ended with the final whistle on August 14.

For FC International, however, the work continues.

For 33 years, the organisation has been using football to give back to Cayman’s youth. Its eight-camp summer programme continues that tradition, reaching children across the Islands and providing them with opportunities to learn, grow and simply enjoy being children in a safe and positive environment.

In an era when communities continue to search for effective ways to engage young people, FC International’s longstanding approach offers a straightforward lesson:

Sometimes changing a life can begin with something as simple as putting a football at a child’s feet — and giving them someone to believe in.