GB Girls' Academy Surprise Visiting Legendary Coach Mike Hailwood

Former club coach, Mike Hailwood, conducted a coaching session for the GB Soccer Academy in June 2021 while he was visiting Grand Bahama . After the training, he was delightfully surprised to be presented with a poster made by Soccer Mom- Devan Sweeting, that said “Welcome GB Academy Legendary Coach Mike Hailwood”.

The Grand Bahama Girls Academy players waited with anticipation to meet the coach that the senior players and coaches talked about so fondly. They had heard stories about Coach Mike but did not remember him because they were so young when he and his wife Berry left Grand Bahama . Since leaving Coach Mike and his wife make an annual trip back to Grand Bahama to visit their old friends and lifelong soccer family. He and his wife Berry had not been back since Hurricane Dorian , so it was quite a shock for them to see the devastation that is still evident on the island.

Mike Hailwood’s “claim to fame” in the Grand Bahama Soccer Club (formerly Grand Bahama Girls’ Developmental Soccer League) is that he gave the girls the same level of instruction that often is reserved for boys. He spent a lot of time teaching the girls important concepts like movement off the ball, combination passes, and vision on the field. He was an advocate for Growth Mindset before it was even a buzz word. He had high expectations for the girls but instilled the confidence in them that they could do it. Many of the girls who he helped coach in the Academy were able to obtain a soccer scholarship for college.

Coach Mike will always be considered a pillar of the girls’ program on Grand Bahama and the club will never forget his contribution to its success.