VERACRUZ, Panama — Jamaica’s young footballers are bidding for a place in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup later this year, but the management team is doing all it can to stress the importance of a good education.

Since their arrival in the Central American country on April 4, the squad of 20 players has had regular study sessions, overseen mainly by manager Jean Nelson and head of delegation Patrick Malcolm.

Nelson stressed that though doing well at the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship is vital, the youngsters’ academic duties will not be put in the shade.

“It is very important for them to do their schoolwork. What we did was to get academic programmes for the (various) subject areas. The composition of this team means we have eight overseas-based players and most of those do virtual or online studies.

“We monitor the local-based ones as well. The HOD is also a principal (of a primary school) and he is helping in that regard. We try to co-ordinate as best as possible and get them to put in some hours to study,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“Football is just a part of life… there are probably 10 or 15 years to play football, but after that they have the rest of their lives, so that is where the education is important,” Nelson added.

There is no designated teacher travelling with the team, so how can the Young Boyz be taught?

According to Nelson, the tactic is simple; get the more advanced ones to pull the others into shape.

“It can be difficult, but we just have to make do. We try to pool them in subjects that are similar, though they may not be at the same level. We get the ones who are strong in certain areas to help the others,” she said.

The overseas-based Malcolm Stewart, who is attached to K12 International — an online school — said he made the jump from traditional learning in order to make his dream possible.

“I started (at K12) this January after the Christmas break because when I found I made the (provisional) national side, I had to do that in order to play. It is tough doing it online because it’s different from traditional school, but it’s for the best, so I can play for Jamaica. It’s my dream to play for Jamaica and catching up with schoolwork online is also a big thing so I don’t fall behind (in my studies),” said the 16-year-old defender.

The burly central defender Rushane McClymont, 17, is also quite keen on hitting the books whenever he gets an opportunity.

“Sometimes we get a break from training or from matches, I have to catch up during those hours, so I can balance the schoolwork and football. I know though I’m here for football I also have to concentrate on my studies,” assured the St Elizabeth Technical student.