A WARM welcome awaits the first generation of Academy boys from the Craig Bellamy Foundation and official partners Security Support Group International (SSGI) when they return to Freetown from Ghana on 1 July, 2010.

Youngsters from the first ever Football Academy in Sierra Leone, who went through a vigorous selection procedure before being offered a five year football and academic scholarship at the elite Craig Bellamy Foundation (CBF) Academy in Tombo, have spent the past three months acclimatising to school life at the Right to Dream Academy in Old Akrade, Ghana before they move into their new Academy building on 1st September next.

As part of the intensive preparations for life in their new Academy, the boys have been developing key learning and communication skills alongside staff and fellow scholarship students at Right to Dream, Ghana.

Earlier this month Craig Bellamy spent valuable time coaching and mentoring his boys as a group and also on a one-to-one basis. He explained:

“The move into the new facility heralds a new start for the CBF family. Like any team they will need to work hard and support each other in order to make the most of this opportunity – and I want them to feel confident in the knowledge that we are all in this together.”

In addition to sharing lessons and undertaking a series of friendly matches, both Academies played in the inaugural edition of the Craig Bellamy Challenge Cup against invited teams from across Ghana. The trip was a huge success according to Director Tom Vernon:

“The opportunity to witness the interaction between these two very different groups has been most rewarding and proved that the love of football can bridge the gap between boys from     incredibly different social and cultural backgrounds. Each has learned so much from the other and friendships for life have been forged.

“Initially, when Craig first wanted to set up his Academy in this war-torn nation it seemed almost impossible as there was no structure in place to help locate the most talented youngsters.  The CBF League was founded – which rewards school attendance and participation in community projects in addition to performance on the pitch. That has provided a much needed structure and revolutionized the way education and community projects are now viewed.”

Additional support in the form of a US$300,000 sponsorship deal of the CBF League and Academy agreed with SSGI earlier this year further strengthened the project and underlines the security and logistics specialists’ ongoing commitment to support the re-building of Sierra Leone.

SSGI spokesman Group Project Manager Martin Small:

“This is a terrific project and we are thrilled to be able to support Craig in his ambition to help  some of the most talented young footballers in Sierra Leone fulfill their dreams and become positive role models for others. The boys have been working really hard in Ghana and a party with friends and family is just what they need before they get back to school in September.”

Whether or not all of these youngsters become the football superstars of their dreams, they will all be equipped with the educational background to provide a better future for themselves and the ability to help others in their country do the same – becoming inspiring role models for future generations along the way.

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NB

The Craig Bellamy Foundation offers five-year residential football and educational scholarships to talented but underprivileged youngsters from 11-16 years of age, based on the successful Right to Dream model in Ghana. The ambition is to provide elite, ethical football coaching in a stable and inspirational environment to aid the development of remarkable young footballers with real leadership potential – and an awareness of their social responsibility to improve their own communities back home.

OUR PARTNERS SECURITY SUPPORT GROUP INTERNATIONAL (SSGI)

In May 2010 Security Support Group International (SSGI) signed a three-year partnership agreement with the Craig Bellamy Foundation worth $300,000 to sponsor the CBF Academy.  This support package will be delivered through a combination of security and technical services at the Academy plus cash donations spread over the duration of the agreement.

As a Sierra Leonean company, SSGI has the potential to create a real impact for the communities in which we operate and we actively recognise our responsibility to our local communities across all levels.

The Craig Bellamy Foundation is such a unique project and SSGI firmly believes in the CBF vision to  invest its expertise to help develop  the youth potential of Sierra Leone.

SSGI was formed in 2001 to influence and inspire the security marketplace by providing thoroughly professional and accountable security and logistic services. We offer something different; combining enterprise, creativity to ensure that fantastic service quality is the corner stone of everything we do.

We hold a diverse portfolio of clients that reads like a “Who’s Who” across all sectors and our services are personal and transparent. Our focus on operational excellence, coupled with inventive recruitment and investment in our staff has culminated in a strong reputation  market recognition.

Our client retention rate is second to none and we have a proven track record of real expertise, meeting our commitments and for providing exceptional value for money. We feel absolutely certain you will find our business methods refreshing and confirm SSGI has a distinct competitive edge over other providers. We deliver security and logistics solutions as they  should be!

Both the Times newspaper and the BBC travelled with Craig – here are their excellent features:

The Times: Craig Bellamy the wayward star provides light for extended family to follow

The Times: Craig Bellamy building foundations for the future stars of Africa

BBC: Bellamy’s academy brings hope to Sierra Leone

BBC World Football Special – Sierra Leone

more pictures from Craig’s trip can be seen on facebook

you can support Craig’s work in Sierra Leone here

The Challenge Cup will be an annual event and from next year take place at the CBF academy in Sierra Leone. This years one day tournament will see 5 of the best under-12s teams in Ghana competing with boys from the CBF. The 5 teams competing are Redbull Ghana, JMG Academy Ghana, Sporting Club Accra and two teams from the Right to Dream Academy. From next year the Challenge Cup will be held at the CBF academy ground in Sierra Leone and will be an opportunity for the best under-12 teams from around the country to showcase their skills and sportsmanship.

Right now at the Ghana academy we have 11 boys from the Craig Bellamy Foundation, Sierra Leone.

They are truly small boys, about 10-12 years of age. They are a new breed, funny as anything, spiritual, energetic; tell you how it is, and a so much fun! They make me laugh, keep me on my toes but they are wonderful young boys and I am learning more then they know from just talking with them. I cannot even imagine the life they have had growing up in a country that has just come through an incredibly long and bloody war. Having them around is benefitting many people.

Our Ghana RtD boys are learning to grow some thicker skin, the CBF boys are learning to say please and thank you, how to be patient and how to use words rather than their hands to resolve discussions! They are teaching many of us about a part of Africa we know little about. It amazing seeing the RtD family growing.

Within minutes we’ve been headlined on the Man City homepage!

Please share this new site with friends – spread the word about the work Craig and the team are doing in Sierra Leone.