Last week, we told you how the Football Federation of Belize is continuing its grassroots program to teach the country's children the fundamentals of the sport, so that the next generation of athletes will be able to play football at a higher level, to hopefully better compete with the bigger football nations of the world.
Last week's focus was on training the children, and yesterday, the FFB decided to train teachers and football coaches on how to better teach the basics to the children.
Here's what FFB's Technical Development Director had to about this train the coaches program:
Phillip Marin - Technical Development Director, FFB "Currently, we're doing a two-day for teachers and coaches of the primary schools. The purpose of the training is for the teachers and coaches to go back to their schools and teach the fundamentals of football to their football teams."
Reporter "Who are the instructors for these trainings?"
Phillip Marin "We have 3 instructors. The instructors are selected on a two-day training that we did last month. The instructors are Marvin Ottley, John George, and myself, Phillip Marin."
Reporter "That would be for Belmopan, right?"
Philip Marin "For Belmopan."
Reporter "Tell me a little bit about the partnership that exists between the National Sports Council of Belize and the Football Federation of Belize."
Phillip Marin "From last year, we have partnered with the National Sports Council through the leadership of Mr. Ian Jones. He has been very helpful to us."
"We must ensure that the fundamentals of teaching football is done at the primary school setting. And if this is done at the primary school setting, then the players from the primary school setting will move to the high school competitions with the basic knowledge that they are given, and we will have better players for our national program."
Mayor Sees City Coastline as Cash Cow
And going back now to our conversation with the mayor - we asked him for his philosophical perspective on developments along the waterfront. Belize is a city with lots of coastline, and the area from the Baron Bliss Lighthouse to the BTL Park is used as public space to enjoy the seafront. But the Mayor says he would want to see a lot more of it utilized:...
Jules Vasquez, reporter "Is this something that you all might be looking at as a means of revenue generation, monetizing the public spaces that the city controls along the sea?"
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City "Clearly from the last mayor had indicated, Darrell Bradley had indicated that we need - they were on that path to make sure that we utilized our waterfront and we are no different. We want to ensure that we utilize all our waterfront, but utilize it in a way where it is sustainable but also child friendly."
Jules Vasquez, reporter "How does the mayor see the city itself - one sees public spaces as a good thing. There have to be public spaces in a city, but I get the impression that you see public spaces as underutilized. You see it as a banker - bway watch that real-estate and we are not capitalize on that. What's your philosophical perspective on public spaces versus real-estate value?"
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City "It has to be a mix. Obviously you live in a community where people need to recreate, people need to exercise. Open spaces are good, but again when you look along this entire stretch here, we are looking at I could say under use area. Waterfronts - when you visit your neighbouring city right across the border Chetumal, the entire length of that area is utilized for recreational. It is also utilized for business. We need to begin to utilized our waterfront. This whole area in my vision needs to be lit up. This need to be not only that section over here where they call the strip. This has to be an entire entrainment area mixed in with of course with recreation for our kids and for obviously having a mix where we ensure that we have spaces for kids and for families."
Jules Vasquez, reporter 'Will you respect the law on the beach reserve or of abutments to the seawall?"
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City "Certainly I would respect it."
Jules Vasquez, reporter "You don't respect it now."
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City "I would respect it."
Jules Vasquez, reporter "You don't respect it right now."
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City "Why would you say that man?"
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Last week, we told you how the Football Federation of Belize is continuing its grassroots program to teach the country's children the fundamentals of the sport, so that the next generation of athletes will be able to play football at a higher level, to hopefully better compete with the bigger football nations of the world.
"We have 3 instructors. The instructors are selected on a two-day training that we did last month. The instructors are Marvin Ottley, John George, and myself, Phillip Marin."
And going back now to our conversation with the mayor - we asked him for his philosophical perspective on developments along the waterfront. Belize is a city with lots of coastline, and the area from the Baron Bliss Lighthouse to the BTL Park is used as public space to enjoy the seafront. But the Mayor says he would want to see a lot more of it utilized:...
"Clearly from the last mayor had indicated, Darrell Bradley had indicated that we need - they were on that path to make sure that we utilized our waterfront and we are no different. We want to ensure that we utilize all our waterfront, but utilize it in a way where it is sustainable but also child friendly."