Academy Sports Club has appointed Caymanian footballer Zachary Scott, 27, as a new coach with their team.
Scott is a long-standing member of the local community youth football club, having been with Academy since its very beginning.
His progression from player to national team representative and now to coach marks a significant achievement for Academy, as he becomes the first ‘homegrown’ coach developed within the club, a press release said.
Scott brings a wealth of experience to his new role having played at a high level in the United Kingdom, and recently completing a bachelor’s degree in sports management.
He also holds a Football Association Level 1 coaching certificate and plans to pursue further qualifications.
As part of his responsibilities, Scott will lead several youth teams. His respected status as a national team player positions him as a role model for aspiring young footballers, the release said.
“I want to take all of my experiences and inspire the next generation of Caymanian footballers to reach new levels and achieve their dreams,” Scott said in the release.
On 7 June, Scott was part of the Cayman Islands men’s national football team that fell short of a win with a 1-0 defeat to Honduras in their home World Cup qualifier.
Paul Byles, head of youth development for Academy Sports Club, said in the release, “This is a proud moment for Academy Sports Club. Zachary’s journey epitomises the club’s mission to nurture talent both on and off the pitch. Having someone who has grown within the academy now stepping into a leadership role is a testament to our programme’s success. Zachary’s passion, dedication, and understanding of our ethos make him an ideal fit to inspire and develop our youth players.”
Byles also noted that Scott was one of the original players when the club’s technical director, Virgil Seymour, first launched the youth programme.
As stated on the club’s website, Academy is a registered non-profit football club which aims to provide quality football development to the youth of the Cayman Islands, while emphasising academic excellence and providing opportunity for the development of personal character and civic responsibility.
The club was initially started by Winston Chung-Fah, who received the Cayman Islands Football Association Order of Merit for his contributions to the sport of football.
