Better Future, a Netherlands-based social enterprise that aims to create brighter future for the less privileged, has developed a link with the Gambia football academies with the ultimate aims of promoting better football and providing better life skills for the interns of the local academies.

The foundation, which has Utrecht Football Club – a premier tier club in Netherlands – as its main clients, will visit Banjul in early January with the players and staff of Utrecht Football Academy, to  engage in exchange programs with their Gambian counterparts. Michel Barth, the manager of Better Future, has told Observer Sports that plans have been finalised for the renowned Dutch academy to travel to Banjul in the next months as guests of  the Gambia football academies. "Utrecht Football Academy will be in Banjul on January 6, 2010, for a ten-day visit. During their stay, they will have exchange programs with local football academies in The Gambia,"  Mr Barth said hinting that their main partners in the country include Bwiam Academy, Bakau Gilkock Academy and Milan FC, a nawettan team in Bakau.

He said the Dutch team will be heading to Banjul with three goals, each of which will only help to modernise and professionalise the local academies. "We will be coming to The Gambia with three main goals, one of which is to create better football within the local academies,” he said. “The staff of Utrecht academy will have an exchange program with their Gambian counterparts and they will train the players.” "Our second goal is to create better life skills. We believe that football can help develop the life skills of young people in any country and Gambia is not an exception.

So we will work together to develop life skills like focus, perseverance and commitment. Through football you can develop the attitude of I can do it." “Our third goal is to develop a good link between the community and the football academies. We believe if the academies work well, it will benefit the community. Academies should also make sure they become financially strong. They have to think of their own merchandise and make sure they reach the next level.” Mr Barth concluded by stating that both parties will benefit from the new partnership which is expected to be expanded in the near future.