Bahamas native Devard Darling continues the dream of him and his brother to bring football to the Bahamas, through the Devard and Devaughn Darling Football Camps, presented by his non-profit organization the As One Foundation.  Fellow NFL Players Derrick Martin and Tre Stallings of the Baltimore Ravens, Larry Johnson, Bobby Engram, and Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Darrius Heyward Bey of the Oakland Raiders will assist young athletes with skill development, technique, and the fundamentals of American Football.  Camps will be held in Freeport, Bahamas July 6 -7, at the Freeport Rugby Football Club on Settlers Way, and Nassau, Bahamas July 10 – 12, at the Tom ‘The Bird’ Grant Sports and Recreational Complex.

The purpose of the camp is to encourage young Bahamian athletes to pursue their education and dreams of playing American Football.  Campers will have the opportunity to interact with prominent sports figures who will act as coaches, leaders and mentors throughout the duration of the camps.  Their presence will offer campers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet and train under the tutelage of professional athletes.

The As One Foundation was created in 2007 by Devard Darling, in loving memory of his identical brother Devaughn Darling who passed in 2001 during spring training.  Its goal is to provide underprivileged youth both nationally and internationally with educational and developmental opportunities through athletic endeavors, educational programming and spiritual enrichment.  Specifically, the “Devard & Deveaughn Darling Football Camps” strive to encourage young Bahamians ages 11 to 16 to further their athletic skills and education at a private school in the United States.  The cap of available camper slots is 120, and attendance will be allotted to elite athletes with the potential of pursuing a collegiate or professional career in football.

While gaining invaluable skills and training in the game of American Football, camp attendees will also receive free gifts, equipment and a chance to earn the title of Camp MVP. Camp MVP will be judged by participation in all activities and the chosen honoree and one parent will win a fully paid trip to Kansas City, Missouri during the 2009 NFL season to spend a weekend with Devard Darling and his family.
“We are thrilled with the number of quality professional athletes confirmed to attend, coach and mentor campers at both of the 2009 football camps,” said Devard Darling.  “The foundation would not be able to put on successful football camps without the help and support from the athletic community and we are truly grateful for their time and generosity.”

For more information about Devard Darling, his vision for Bahamian youth and the “Devard & Devaughn Darling Football Camps” go to www.asonefoundation.org.