Bahamian NFL wide receiver, Devard Darling made his annual visit to Freeport for the Devard & Devaughn Darling Football Camp in spite of the failing economy. Darling was forced to scale back the normal full camp operation down to an abbreviated version in order to achieve the As One mission to help unlock and unleash the full potential of young people through athletics, education and spiritual enrichment this year. He conducted a one-day clinic from 8am – 1pm on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at the Freeport Rugby Club. Some seventy-six 11-17 year-old campers were provided breakfast, snacks, lunch, beverages from Coca-Cola and O.N.E. Coconut, Deuce Brand watches, football instruction, and more without charge.
Later, on Saturday, July 16th, Darling traveled to Nassau to conduct the first ever Darling Family Day, which included a flag-football tournament, a steak-out fundraiser, and a kids area with face-painting, balloon animals and a jumpy castle. It was fun for the whole family. Although the rain came, the sun eventually appeared and the Heiniken Spartans Flag Football Team of the Bahamas Flag Football League prevailed in the double-elimination tournament. Team members were presented with custom medals by Darling. Some 300 steak and chicken meals were sold to help defray the cost of the football camp - which is always offered free to the campers – but is a significant cost to pull off. The party boat cruise was cancelled due to weather.
Plans are already underway for the 2012 camp. Contact As One Foundation Executive Director, Tomia Austin, to reserve sponsorships and for information (Tomia@AsOneFoundation.org or 832-308-9984)
- Bahamas Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture
- Galleria Cinemas
- Asue Draw
- Pelican Bay Resort Freeport
- RIU Paradise Island
- Thrifty/Dollar Rental Car
- Phat Grooves
- Arising Courier Services
- O.N.E. Coconut Water
- Coca-Cola
- Nesbitt Rentals - Freeport
- Patrick & Alvery Hanna
- Chilly Willy Ice
- Deuce Brand Watches
- Bahamas Weekly
- Sawyers Foods - Freeport
- Phil's Foods
- Jacqueline Knowles