USVI Hopes to Take NFL By Storm By Developing Local Talent

Invite-only may scare some, but “The Foundation,” the organization behind new sports mentorship clinic “The Factory,” anticipates it will single-out the best amongst youth athletes in the U.S. Virgin Islands this summer.

Composed of six professionals, from former collegiate athletes to NFL coaches, this multi-dimensional group says it has committed to bringing more than just sports to the territory, but a movement. A lifestyle of excellence, “creating a livelihood” that will allow others to utilize this “roadmap of success” is how Delorean Walls, coach, mentor, pillar and consultant of The Factory described their aims. June 20-27, 2022 will kick off the football camp with free cleats, swag packs, and more for the promising group of young Virgin Islanders.

Most of the six met each other only in December 2021 to launch The Factory for junior high and high school athletes on St. Thomas. Julian West, the visionary behind The Factory, approached the other members about “getting people to believe again” in living their destiny through faith.

As the Dominican Republic is often seen as the mecca of Major League Baseball players, the foundation hopes to be the next “system” that develops U.S. Virgin Islands youth for the pros. West, a former full-scholarship collegiate athlete said, “Until you see it, it can seem unreachable,” retelling his story from the hoods of Wisconsin to America’s Paradise, as the only resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands amongst the founding members.