Women’s Football League to kick off October 31

The BVI Football Association is preparing to launch its Women’s League on 31st October, 2020

Following the highly successful Women’s Festival Cup and the increasingly popular national team training programmes both on Tortola and Virgin Gorda, the BVI Football Association is now preparing to launch its Women’s League, with opening day scheduled for 31st October, 2020.

Floods, storms and pandemics may mean it is almost four years since the Ballstars were crowned “Champions” after seeing off the challenge of the youngsters from VG United, but it now will be the turn of the next generation to spearhead the resurgence of the women’s game.

Just this past weekend, the likes of Ariel Mohammed, Darci Reich and Tinia Van Zoost – all products of the BVIFA Schools’ Programme – took center stage as the national players took part in a training session and practice match.

“The future is looking great,” commented Wayne Phillip who is in charge of the programme along with Anna French of Virgin Gorda. “The energy and interest coming from the girls proves we are heading in the right direction and it is definitely exciting times.”

In the match, Team Mohammed beat Team Van Zoost 3-1 on goals from Reich (2) and Morgan Creque, whilst Kezia Gumbs was also on the scoresheet.

Although some of the more experienced players are still around to mentor the youngsters and challenge them to become even better, according to Phillip, 70% of the players are under 19.

Whilst the national team squad training takes place three times a week, the BVIFA’s plans will bring a competitive atmosphere to supplement the work of Phillips and French.

Each of the teams participating will be affiliated to a member club of the BVIFA and must include a qualified coach. They ideally will play in the same colours as the parent club and all players will be registered with the BVIFA.

Initially the games will be 5-a-side and take place to coincide with men’s games on Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

Four teams have already completed the registration process, The Wolues, the Avengers, the Panthers and VG Utd. The other clubs are putting together rosters and any females still not signed are encouraged to seek out a club or contact the BVIFA office.

VG Utd Girls to meet Ballstarz W.F.C in Women’s League Final

By BVI Football Association

Ballstarz vs Avengers, in Women's League semi final. Photo: BVIFA

Ballstarz vs Avengers, in Women’s League semi final. Photo: BVIFA

The Final of the BVIFA Women’s Nine a Side League will be a hotly contested affair between the young and upcoming VG United Girls and their more experienced Ballstarz F.C. Women counterparts, after both recorded comfortable semifinal victories over the weekend.

On Saturday, after a deluge had all but flooded the A.O. Shirley Ground, the Virgin Gorda team, simply had too much pace and desire for the Panthers Women and ran out 4-0 winners, with Loreal George (19th and 28th minute) scoring twice in the first half to all but seal the deal.

Jackisha Rigobert (32nd) also fired home from long range, whilst the tireless Kayla Skelton (60th) deservedly rounded out the scoring in the second half.

A full strength Ballstarz Women, then handed the Avengers their first taste of defeat for the season with a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Philia James (42nd) and Morgan Creque (55th) breaking open a game, which had reached half time at 0-0.

The Final, along with the play-off game for third place are all scheduled for Saturday 26th November, on the A.O. Shirley Ground starting at 4.30pm, with the Avengers against the Panthers and then VG Utd taking on the Ballstarz F.C.

Women’s League kicks off with focus on Breast Cancer Awareness

By BVI Football Association

The Women's League is in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Photo: BVIFA

The Women’s League is in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Photo: BVIsports.com

Rain may have diluted the crowd on Sunday, despite two exciting games, but nothing could detract from the excitement and enthusiasm which met the kick off of the Women’s League on Saturday, on the A.O. Shirley Ground.

The Women’s League is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness and the President of the BVI Cancer Society, Mrs. Gloria Fahie was on hand to give opening remarks as well as BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, Sharlene Pond, Chair of the BVIFA Women’s Committee and Mrs. “Bold and Breastless”,  Shondia McFadden-Sabari.

“It’s a pleasure to be here tonight,” commented Bickerton. “The BVIFA take Women’s football very seriously, we are concerned about the number of females in the youth programme and we are looking at how to improve participation.”

“Women Rock!,” noted Mrs. Fahie. “I just want to thank you all for partnering with the Cancer Society. I’m glad you young ladies are active as the more active you are the less likelihood there is of you getting cancer.”

Shondia McFadden-Sabari, a double breast cancer survivor enthused the girls to keep on doing what they are doing and Ms. Pond invited everyone to get behind the women’s football initiatives. “I want to encourage everyone to try and push the BVI Football Community forward, to have a vision, so we can grow the women’s game and all football together.”

The game that followed was a further indication of how women’s game is developing as the Ballstars overcame the Panthers 2-1 in an entertaining match, full of excitement, speed and skill.

The Panthers went ahead against the run of play with Silvia Massicot firing home from the edge of the box and then Lilly Pierce netted the equalizer before the Panthers conceded an own goal to hand the Ballstars all three points.

In men’s action, the Islanders comfortably maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-0 win over VG united as Andy Davis scored the opened the scoring in the first half and further goals came in the second from Kevin Fisher, Devon Leteen and Nano Ottley.

The Wolues then crushed the Panthers 5-0, with goals coming from Kevin Carragher (2), Marc Savage (2) and James Drury, whilst on Sunday the Rebels beat One Love, 3-2.

D’Angelo Thomas and Joel Williams (2) scored for the Rebels and Richard Morgan netted twice for One Love, to join Kevin Fisher and Mohammed Kachour as the leagues joint top scorers, with 5 each.

The Sugar Boys rounded out the weekend with a scrappy 2-1 victory over Old Madrid, courtesy of goals from Mohammed Kachour and Terrence Nanton, who scored the winner from the penalty spot after Trevor Peters had equalized for Old Madrid.