Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

THE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF) has thrown its support behind the establishment of a local football academy which will be modelled on the Real Madrid Foundation's School of Social Integration.

The academy, which will be built in Rose Hall, St. James on land donated by the John Rollins foundation, will be the team's first in a non-Spanish speaking country. It is also the first for the Caribbean.

Burchell Gibson, general secretary of the JFF, speaking at a function hosted at The Gleaner's head office on North Street yesterday, lauded the idea.

"I think that the whole idea of this academy will certainly improve Jamaica's football," said Gibson. "We believe that training from a early age is one of the most important aspects of development," Gibson said. "I think that it will also help to prepare these players to become better persons in the society, so we are looking forward to the collaboration."

Assistant coach of the national team, Wendell Downswell, also backed the academy.

Downswell, who will head to Brazil on July 9 with the national men's under-20 footballers who will compete at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, said the institution would not only serve as a football facility but also an educational centre for future generations.

"I think that it is a step in the right direction," said Downswell. "There are a number of talented kids out there on the streets and once we can get them into a forum of this nature we will be able to nurture their talents, not only from the perspective of football but as individuals," said Downswell, who is also the coach of National Premier League team Reno.

Aaron Lawrence, a former national goalkeeper who will manage the academy, said a number of former Reggae Boyz had already approached him about the prospect of assisting with the running of the academy.

Also in attendance at yesterday's function were Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva, Real Madrid representatives Manuel Velazquez and Carlos Abella, Beatriz Pozueta, general manager of the Spanish-Jamaica Foundation, Christopher Barnes, assistant to the managing director of The Gleaner Company, and Rudolph Speid, treasurer of the JFF and group financial controller of The Gleaner.