Support for GYFA Trainees & Staff

Footballers come from a vast array of backgrounds and we’re no different at GYFA. As much as we celebrate our diverse cohorts of players, unfortunately some of our players come from disadvantaged backgrounds and we see it as both a responsibility and a pleasure to try and offer support where we can. Our trainee fees are heavily subsidised, do not charge the orphans that train with us and oversee the donation of food packages to families that need support when possible.

GYFA are well aware that we can’t promise our trainees that they will become professional footballers, performing on the biggest platforms as so many have dreamed. While we still have this aspiration for our trainees, GYFA firmly encourage our trainees to value and utilise the opportunities they may have to educate themselves. Again where possible we will support our trainees as unfortunately education is not free in The Gambia. We also try to show our trainees that there are viable career paths in and around football and try and get them to explore this while they train.

Like our trainees, many of our staff have dreams of careers connected to the beautiful game. Due to a host of issues, finances being a major factor, this is not a viable option for the majority. Since establishing ourselves in 2014, GYFA have funded a number of coaching courses for our staff while paying competitive rates in an field where the majority of coaches do not get paid a base salary and work voluntarily.

Many trainees, administration staff and coaches at GYFA have gone on to progress both in football and other fields of work. We would like to think and have been told that we have played a part in their journeys and we take great pleasure in knowing our efforts have made a positive difference no matter how small.