The Brufut based Gilcock Football Academy recently benefited from sporting materials donated by Rut and wife Anneke Assendelft of Heemstede in Holland.

The donated materials, which included ten sets of jerseys, twenty balls and three hand pumps, were presented to the academy by the couples who commended Gilcock for coming up with the idea of gathering children of different ages and imparting skills and discipline to them.

“These kids would have been engaged in some negative things if this project was not around. This is what motivated us to help,” Anneke Assendelft explained.

For his part Ruth revealed that the help came about a result of a promise he made in February. “I intend to bring more assistance to the academy because of their organisational level”. He made a strong promise to bring about 30 balls and implement another project for the academy in November.

Ed Friedel, who is the Technical director and Head Coach of Mr. Ruth’s third Division amateur club in Holland, spent one hour on the pitch coaching the players. Friedel hailed the technical level of the players of the academy citing the passing and controlling abilities of the players.

“Considering the different age groups here, their technical level in the game is good even on a bumpy pitch like this. And based on what I have seen I may also provide some training DVD’s and or Video s which I think will contribute to the development of the academy coaches and players,” he added.

 The Public Relations Officer of the academy Sang Mendy, in delivering the vote of thanks commended the couples for their timely gesture and promised that the materials will be put into good use.

Present at the ceremony were Piet and Reit Debrugn who accompanied Rut and Anneke, Coaches and Players of the Academy as well as a cross section of people from the community of Brufut.