By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The relationship between the Bahamas and the National Football League's Miami Dolphins continues to produce dividends for the country's youth development in American football.

Longtime Miami Dolphins player and executive Nat Moore presented local football leagues with the first of four donations of youth football equipment yesterday at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

The Dolphins donated 48 footballs and 20 agility ladders to be dispersed among various programmes in the New Providence and the family islands. Both New Providence and Grand Bahama will receive 15 footballs and seven ladders apiece, Abaco will receive 12 footballs and four ladders while Exuma will receive six footballs and two ladders.

"Many years ago the Bahamas befriended me and the Miami Dolphins.

"We started a partnership dating back over 40 years, but one of the commitments I made my last time here was that I was going to do everything I can to help grow football for the youth in the Bahamas and to make it as safe as possible," Moore said, "This is the first installment of a four-year plan to try and get as much equipment so that the kids have first-rate equipment to learn and train with.

"The ladders are the number one tool for training young people in quickness and agility with their feet, whether it's football or teaching them the basics."

Moore, the Dolphins' senior vice president of special projects and alumni relations continues his philanthropic efforts, which has now extended to the Bahamas, with a focus on youth football development.

"It's about what the game teaches you - perseverance, teamwork, integrity, trust, discipline, life lessons necessary for success - that's what it is all about. Football taught me that at an early age. Football paid my way to college and it gave me an opportunity to earn a living with the Miami Dolphins. Today I'm still earning a living with the Dolphins, not because of my football accolades, but because football gave me a chance to go to school and train my brain and gave me knowledge," Moore said, "We want to create that opportunity for some of these young student-athletes in the Bahamas."

Director of Sports Tim Munnings said the Dolphins organisation continues its commitment of community outreach to its loyal fanbase in the Bahamas.

"They have done great work with the youth, teaching them principles of American football. We are pleased that they saw fit to recognise the need to assist youth development through this sporting equipment which will be delivered throughout the capital and various family islands," he said, "Their facilities need assistance and this will go a great way towards those student-athletes being able to learn the sport."

Commonwealth American Football League President, Antonio Maycock, said the goal behind the equipment drive is to reinvigorate the sport locally and create further educational opportunities.

"We hope to share the opportunities that football can present, one of which is to pursue a career and another was to gain an education," he said, "I share Mr. Moore's story as I too was able to acquire an education through the sport of football so I know the benefits it creates," he said, "Thank you so much for the equipment that will allow young people to develop those skills so they too will have their opportunity to improve and earn opportunities of their own when they present themselves."

For the past few years the "Dan Marino and Friends Bahamas Weekend" has celebrated the partnership between the Dolphins and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in a community outreach effort.

The itinerary included a welcome reception on opening night, followed by golf and evening events on day two.

Day three included a youth football clinic at the stadium with approximately 200 local football enthusiasts, ranging from ages 6-18, in attendance.

The final events were a flag football tournament and exhibition between the visiting Dolphins Legends and the Bahamas All-Stars, comprised of former Commonwealth American Football League and Bahamas Flag Football players.

At halftime of the finale, the Dolphins group presented a $15,000 cheque to REACH Bahamas, a group aimed at raising autism awareness throughout the country.