Kevin Simpson’s Skillz ‘n’ Drillz clinic has turned from a small neighbourhood youth camp into an Island wide showpiece that teaches children from four to 12 the basic skills of the game.Skillz ‘n’ Drillz, which also promotes community awareness, was founded in Simpson’s back garden in 2007, and is now based at Devonshire Rec. and Prospect Primary School. The next edition will be staged at the both venues on alternate days from Monday, April 4 to Friday, April 8.“We’ve been doing this since 2007, with the camp based around kids aged four to 12 and in the same process they are involved in football and community service,” said Simpson.“The main focus is life skills, team work and team spirit, something that’s important in today’s world.“The camp came about when I was taking my FIFA Level I course. I had an idea and went with it, and with the help of those who have come aboard through the years, it’s where it is today.“At the beginning it was just me at my house but as time passed people came out to help and have been returning to help whenever camps are on.”Simpson now runs the camp four times a year and now wants to introduce it into schools across the Island.“Having different places to hold the camp gives the kids a change of scenery and not being in the same place every day,” he said. “Prospect has since opened up their doors to help me in using their facilities for camps.“Now that I have a few years under my belt, I’m looking to get into all schools to show them the basics because it makes no sense in showing the younger generation the tactical side if they don’t have the basics down first.“I would like to get into the schools to teach the children the basics of the game because there are a lot of kids that don’t know the basics and I want to teach them so that when they move on to middle school they are better prepared and they would only need to learn the technical side, something the Brazilian camp is doing.”Simpson wants to be a mentor to the Island’s youngsters and feels football is a viable way to get them off the streets and doing something positive.The camp also hosts a football tournament each year that includes teams such as PHC, Hamilton Parish, Wolves and Devonshire Cougars.“Skillz ‘n’ Drills is more about how to pass, shoot, and really play together which will go a long way in their future, both in sports and in life,” Simpson said.“I have a lot sponsors including, Burt Construction, CellularOne, StreetSmart, Howard’s MiniMart, Bermuda Water Works, Just 4 Kicks and special thanks to David Bascome who helped me to get the motivation to do this.Simpson added: “I’m a youth coach at Devonshire Rec., and in my neighbourhood we have a lot of kids just running around doing absolutely nothing, so from being involved in camps at North Village, Wolves and St. George’s I felt that something needed to be done for them.“I had a lot of people I looked up to and I want to be a mentor for the younger ones and I took my coaching much more serious.“Teams are invited to participate in the annual tournament and I would like to invite more, however, due to the size of the facilities we use it can’t be managed.”