12 December, 2014 – Local football coaches, administrators and volunteers were recently certified in First Aid, with the objective of ensuring that adequately trained personnel from each club are present at Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) matches.

The initiative began in September 2014 with two planned First Aid, CPR, and AED training sessions sponsored by CONCACAF. Ten representatives from CIFA member clubs, national team programmes, and Maples grassroots received first aid certifications.

“CIFA is taking steps to improve safety measures at all events, tournaments and training sessions,” said First Vice President Bruce Blake. “Subsequent sessions are planned for 2015 in association with the Cayman Islands Red Cross, with an additional 30 staff and volunteers set for training during the first quarter of 2015.”

CIFA has also enrolled its members in the Darkness to Light anti-abuse training, which is a sexual abuse prevention program organised and administered by the Cayman Islands Red Cross and educates adults to prevent, recognise, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The qualification is recognised by local agencies and facilitated primarily by the Cayman Islands Red Cross. To date, 46 CIFA members have received the Darkness to Light certification. The continued emphasis on the programme, which has been made mandatory for all national programme staff and volunteers, will result in another 50 representatives from all CIFA member clubs and programmes becoming certified in 2015.

While receipt of these certifications has become a requirement of national programme staff with immediate effect, the same mandatory requirements will be introduced to member clubs through a new club licensing regime during 2015.

About CIFA – The Cayman Islands Football Association is the governing body of football in the Cayman Islands, overseeing all National Team programs, youth development leagues, Women’s league and the Cayman Islands Men’s Premier League.