The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and DOF Subsea have announced a groundbreaking partnership that will see the creation of the DOF–FIFA Arena Girls Football Academy, an elite training centre dedicated to nurturing the next generation of female footballers in Guyana.
A milestone for women's football
The initiative is backed by a financial commitment of GYD$40 million from DOF Subsea, spread over a five‑year period, underscoring the company’s belief in the long‑term development of sport within the country.
The academy will be situated at the forthcoming FIFA Arena complex in Haslington, East Coast Demerara, a site chosen for its modern facilities and strategic proximity to the capital.
Its curriculum has been designed to meet the exacting technical, safeguarding and governance standards set by FIFA, Concacaf and the Caribbean Football Union, ensuring that participants receive training that is both world‑class and aligned with regional best practices.
The launch was marked by a Girls’ Grassroots Festival held at the National Gymnasium on April 24, where dozens of young players demonstrated their skills in front of coaches, parents and officials.
Concacaf General Secretary Philippe Moggio, who attended the ceremony, highlighted the importance of localised programmes in achieving the broader objectives of the ‘One Concacaf’ philosophy, which seeks to strengthen football development across the confederation.
GFF President Wayne Forde was also present, alongside senior executives from DOF Subsea, including Steven Jacobs, Josephine Tapp, Liam McShane, Marco Sclocchi and Samuel Shield, who together signed the partnership agreement.
Beyond the financial injection, the academy aims to create a professional pathway that can translate grassroots participation into competitive performance, offering scholarships, mentorship and pathways to regional and international competition.
A new era for Guyanese women’s football
The collaboration reflects a growing recognition that investment in female athletes yields not only sporting success but also social empowerment, and it positions Guyana as a hub for innovative football development in the Caribbean.
Funding and future outlook
The five‑year GYD$40 million pledge is earmarked for facility development, coaching staff, equipment and scholarship programmes, with the expectation that the academy will become self‑sustaining through partnerships, sponsorships and alumni success stories.
As the academy prepares to welcome its first cohort, the eyes of the football community are fixed on Guyana, where a blend of local passion and international standards may soon produce a new wave of talent that could compete on the world stage.