YESI believes that soccer has the ability to empower youth through sport, while creating an inspirational support system through out all communities in the islands of the Bahamas. Our mission is to travel to different soccer clubs, under privileged communities in the Bahamas and conduct free soccer clinics to create lasting relationships with the communities and clubs. In addition to this we are identifying gifted players in these clinics and giving them chances to play abroad. Inevitably creating an avenue for growth and mentorship so children may be motivated to become influential active citizens of the world.
To this day, in only two years we have donated hundreds of boots to the needy, partnered with TOMS, ran soccer clinics for free at Simpson Penitentiary, Elizabeth Estates Children's Home, William Pratt Center, Cowpin Rd, Carmichael Area, Gambia School, Focus Group, many public primary school programs and sent kids off to professional clubs in the U.S.A. Fulfilling our mission statement. Our next goal is to create sustainable grass roots programs for the kids here in Nassau and travel to the out islands.
YESI is developing life skills through teamwork and discipline while building relationships amongst the youth and their peers through Soccer, were cultivating new images for the youth involved throughout society.
Four Point Plan
I. Teaching soccer skills from basic to advanced levels
Similar to international academies such as IMG Academies, as well as several national programs, YESI Soccer at the highest-level treats soccer as an art requiring master coaches and trainers, and the utmost dedication of its players from an early age. Mastery of soccer’s fundamental skills, techniques, tactics, and strategy, as well as good agility and excellent physical conditioning, will be required. The programs will require commitment from the players and require weekly practices and clinics for competence in skills and techniques.
II. Establishing habits of self-discipline, concentration, and hard-work
All levels of soccer and academic training provided by YESI will require players to learn to focus their time, energy and attention on development of their bodies and minds in order to achieve success on the field and in the classroom. As with any discipline, good character is a prerequisite for success. As a result, all of YESI Soccer employees and personnel will model good behavior and, with regard to the players themselves, provide care and attention for the whole person, i.e., the development of his or her body, mind and spirit.
III. Building confidence and self-esteem in disadvantaged youth
Soccer is a sport that demands team-work and skill. As children gain talent and experience playing soccer with one another, no matter how distressed their background, they will gain confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of trustworthiness. This will positively affect their work in school, their home life, and their pursuit of jobs and careers.
IV. Providing healthy athletic and fitness activity to counteract childhood obesity.
Because of the variety of types of soccer activity offered by YESI after school, during the evenings, on weekends, over holidays, and during the summer, the inner-city children who participate in the Academy’s programs will be involved in healthy physical exercise on a daily basis, and year-round. This consistency is essential for the YESI’s success in teaching soccer, but also for developing healthy life-long exercise habits in today’s youth.
By providing many levels of soccer and educational training activities that will attract inner- and outer-city children, YESI will provide The Bahamas with a healthy resource to divert its otherwise troubled youths from destructive patterns of behavior, improve the community’s quality of life, and introduce The Bahamas urban youths to their suburban peers. By welcoming mothers and fathers to its adult recreational soccer as well, YESI will strengthen families, and will help integrate the different races, ethnicities, and socio-economic classes of the Bahamas.
1. Youth Empowerment Through Soccer International was registered officially as a non-profit by the Registrar General’s Department on October 25th, 2011. The three founders were Simone Noelle Smith, Katie Talley Thomas and Happy Hall. YESI is a certified company of The Companies Act, 1992 and incorporated by guarantee and not having a share capital. The original Registered Office of the Organization was at the Chambers of Lockhart & Co., # 35 Buen Retiro Road, Nassau, Bahamas.
2. The Aims and objectives of the Organization are as follows:
I. To create opportunities for children in impoverished areas to experience the benefits of organized sports through soccer.
II. Building relationships and confidence amongst his/her peers through team sports.
III. To create an opportunity for underprivileged youth that have never had the opportunity to learn the values team sports promote.
IV. To harness life lessons that will be essential to a young person’s social and education endeavors.
V. Inevitably creating an avenue for growth and mentorship so the youth may be influenced to become influential and active citizens of the world.
3. Current local affiliations include but are not limited too: College of The Bahamas, Tambearly School, Lyford Cay School, Meridian Mantaray’s, Gambier Primary, Children’s Emergency Hostel, Lyford Cay Foundation Focus Group, BARK, Hands for Hunger and Mahogany House.
Current foreign affiliations include but are not limited too: Dutch Lions FC, Texas Dutch Lions Super-20, FC Twente, Belmont Abbey College Soccer Program, Winning Skills Netherlands and Winning Skills World Wide.
4. Corporate Donor’s include but are not limited too. DWS, Senor Frogs, Compass Point, Stuart Cove, KPMG, Lyford Cay School, Tambearly School, Ports International Ltd and Sun Tee Ltd.
