Paul Shaw Comes Back to Jamaica
September 4-6 GSM International held a coaching course in Kingston Jamaica call Coaching Football Fitness. The course was sanctioned by the Jamaica Football Federation Technical Committee and was partnered with the Jamaican Football Coaches Association under the leadership of Vin Blaine, President, Head of the Women's National Team Programme.

Coaching the course was Paul Banta; head of GSM International and Baris Johnson, Director of GSM Jamaica and Paul Shaw who act as a consultant for GSM and who is currently the Coaching Education Director for the Virginia Youth Soccer Association.

"We were delighted to have Paul join us for this course, said Paul Banta. Paul is an expert in his field, a great Christian and a man that has a vision for Christ and the game as one. Paul was born in Jamaica and immigrated to Canada and then eventual the USA. I know Paul enjoyed being back home in his country and better yet teaching the game to his fellow country men and for GSM. We are proud to have Paul on our coaching staff as a soccer educational consultant for GSM and their coaching courses."

"The following letter comes from Paul Shaw and I just wanted to share this with our reads explains", Paul Banta.

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Dear Paul,

What a whirlwind trip to Jamaica? Over eight months ago, I was researching mission opportunities and after a lot of time on the internet, I eventually Googled the following words: coaching, soccer, mission and Jamaica. Well, “coaching”, “soccer” and “mission” are obvious, but “Jamaica”? I was born in Jamaica and left there in the 70’s. Most of my family has since returned but not me. Life has a way of evolving; school, playing soccer, falling in love, work, marriage, family, making a home north of the Caribbean etc. I don’t know what made me type “Jamaica” in that sentence but I did. Global Soccer Ministries was now front and center on my computer. Within a click of an email to you—the link was found. Your response was immediate and friendly:
“Look forward to sharing and seeing if we can get you on board to get back to some of those roots that the Lord is calling you to. I certainly understand the calling. Jamaica is so wide open to change hearts and the game around.”

I have always felt a calling to do mission work. However, in order to fulfill this desire, I made a very calculated promise to myself -- any mission work would have to be ok with my family, be respectful to my employer, and be not only spiritually rewarding but professionally as well. Pretty tall order but as the Word says, all things are possible in Christ. PB, you and Global Soccer Ministries would satisfy all those things or should I say a particular amount of circumstances happening at a very specific time, under very detailed wishes – really, only through Christ do these things happen. My bluff was called…act now and step forward to serve.

The almost three-day long course was a very rewarding one as an instructor. The coaches who participated were fantastic. Conversations were of quality and fruitful, with a hint of excitement for the future. Wow, how the Lord moves. My goal of sharing the game was less about me giving as the weekend wore on and more about me receiving. I am thankful to all for the time and efforts on the ground. The memories will last a life time and I look forward to serving Christ—hopefully in Jamaica with my new colleagues.

Blessings,

Paul Shaw

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We are again as every appreciated of the JFF sanction of this course and the support that we received from the JCFA and their leadership as GSM bring the passion of the game and the passion of the cross of Christ together to help develop coaches to be the men and women God designed for them to be in this great game.

Paul Shaw:

Coaching Education Director for the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, over the past 24+ years he has coached at the youth, college and professional level. Shaw holds a United States Soccer Federation “A” License, a National Youth License from US Youth Soccer, a National Coaching Diploma from the Canadian National Coaching Institute and a Masters in Science (Physical Education). Currently, he is the Head Coach for the 1995 Girls Olympic Development Program State team for Virginia, is a National Instructor for US Youth Soccer and a National Instructor for the United States Soccer Federation.

For more information on this course and to bring this program to your soccer group please contact us @ 843.235.3762.