By JONATHAN BURROWS


Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net


THIS past weekend, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation and the Bahamas Youth Football League, in collaboration with the University of Miami, kicked off a Youth Football Boot camp at the Old Thomas A Robinson Stadium.


The camp was attended by more than 100 kids, both male and female. The camp started at 9:30am and featured former University of Miami athletes and NFL players Allen Hurts, Travis Benjamin and Jacory Harris.


The former Miami players led a series of skill-building drills and shared insights from their professional playing careers with the young athletes.


Jacory Harris, University of Miami alum and former NFL and CFL quarterback, spoke about the event.


“Just here enjoying myself, really having fun out here with the kids, just teaching them a little bit about football, the way that we learned it, and watching them, the athleticism and raw talent is an amazing thing. I can’t wait to see what Bahamas brings to the table at the Olympics and stuff going forward.”


Travis Benjamin, a former University of Miami and NFL wide receiver, also spoke on the talents of the kids at the event.


“The kids showed great talent. I can't wait to watch these kids grow up and become great football players in the future.”


Allen Hurts, a former University of Miami and NFL wide receiver, said:
“Just seeing these kids out here competing surprised me a lot.


“I know football is not the primary sport here, but just to come over here and see how good these kids are is really surprising and I'm excited to see these guys competing at this level.”


Organisers expressed how camps like these can accelerate the development of flag football in The Bahamas, as flag football is now recognised as an Olympic sport, creating opportunities for more Bahamian athletes to represent The Bahamas on an international stage.