Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
YOUNG, TALENTED footballers in Jamaica are getting another route towards achieving scholarships to United States institutions via Corner Kick Scholarship programme.
Kick It Production Incorporation, a Jamaican-owned entity headed by Jerome Samuels and based in the U.S., has initiated the Corner Kick Scholarship programme.
The programme connects qualified students with established American colleges and universities in search of student athletes, both male and female. It will also educate coaches and facilitators about various scholarships available.
The Gleaner caught up with Samuels while he was scouting local talent at a Wray and Nephew National Premier League game between league leaders Harbour View and Boys' Town.
SECOND VISIT
"This is my second visit to Jamaica within a month to help get it off the ground. On my first visit I scouted the female national Under-20 team and Wolmer's Boys.
"On this my second trip I have scouted 20 of Kingston best male student athletes (football) and distributed the player-profile forms to be returned for display on my website."
Samuels was filming the game with the aim of putting footage on his TV show website so coaches in America can see the players play. Interested persons can log onto cornerkickshow.com to get a better understanding and view of what is really happening on the show.
"What I need at this point is greater exposure for what I am doing, both to players/coaches so they know about the programme, and to the average Jamaican in order to attract sponsors to help fund the programme. I have solely funded the programme to this point," said Samuels.
In addition to providing assistance with the application process, general administration procedure and co-signing for scholarships, the support staff are stationed around the island to help prepare students for SAT examinations.
CULTURAL TRANSITION
The programme also focuses on the cultural transition process and students are guided on how to prepare and cope with their journey away from home.
According to Samuels, once students are accepted and moved abroad, staff members based in the U.S. will assist them continuously.
So far four scholarships have been awarded to male and female students at Brenau University, Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College in Georgia. Kenroy McKay and Omar Allen will be attending Georgia Perimeter College, while national under-20 female players, Venecia Reid and Kenesha Reid will be attending Brenau University.
Samuels noted that Sports Gears, Prendy's on the Beach and Growth Facilitators are on-board as sponsors and he hopes that more people will join the cause.
Samuels, the nephew of famed referee Peter Prendergast, used to attend Vaz Prep and is a former youth representative who also played for Real Mona, Harbour View and Village United. He also had stints with Notts County in England and the Atlanta Silverbacks in the United States.
He coached at the Stone Mountain Soccer Association and Lanier Soccer Association in Georgia, and is currently assistant coach at the Georgia Perimeter College, the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) 2005 national champions.
