By: BVI Football Association
The U15 Girls squad with Coach’s Kate Rowsdon (far left) and Benjamin Camille (far right)
Last Saturday, July 25th, 2014 the BVIFA welcomed the U15 Girls and U14 Boys teams from the St Thomas based Laraza F.C. for a one day Football Festival on the A.O. Shirley Ground.
Up first the U15 Girls, who have been training under the watchful gaze of Coach Kate Rowsdon in preparation for the CONCACAF U15 Girls Tournament being hosted by the Cayman Islands in August, played their St Thomas counterparts and came out with an impressive 5-0 victory.
More pleasing than the margin of victory was the manner in which the BVI Girls stuck to their match strategy and held their shape, as Coach Kate explained “we worked specifically, in the first half and second half, on two different objectives and I’m really pleased we were able to work through those objectives and come out with the confidence boosting result”
After racing into a 4-0 half time lead through a penalty from Davian Williams, a brace from Morgan Creque and a first time long range shot by Lilly Pierce. Keithriece Smith rounded out the scoring in a much more even second half when the BVI Girls had to contend with the wind in their faces and a change of strategy.
“In the first half we took advantage of Laraza playing a deep back line, with us pushing the ball forward quickly, which made sure we had the ball in their half a lot. In the second half I wanted the Girls to take a little more time, relax on the ball, take a touch and look for a pass to feet. It was a struggle at first, but the Girls tried to apply it and I’m pleased with the way they stuck to the plan” stated Coach Kate
It was just the second competitive outing for the Girls as a team and Coach Kate was also aware that the Girls will need to learn how to play in Tournaments and play in a more controlled manner for the entire game.
“like a lot of games, the first few minutes were erratic and being only their second game, they still had a touch of the jitters “commented Coach Kate “In the Tournament we need to get on the pitch and be calm, we have to understand the speed of play, control the speed of play and bring the ball down and play it how we want to”
Overall Coach Kate was very pleased with the team and learnt a lot during the game, which was a great performance, great result and highlighted how, with a lot of hard work and dedication the Girls can become a talented group of players for years to come.
The final squad for the CONCACAF Tournament in Cayman will be leaving Monday 4th August and according to the official schedule on www.concacaf.com will face the hosts on Wednesday, August 6th at 7.30pm.
On Friday, August 8th, the team faces Curacao also at 7.30pm and then concludes group play with a game against the Bahamas on Sunday, August 10th at 5.30pm.
The Final is scheduled for Sunday 17th August.
The U14 Boys then played two nine a side games with the first being a 1-1 tie and the second resulting in a 3-2 win for the visitors.
Coach Thomas Albert noted the BVI Boys had played well, being able to press their larger opponents for large parts of each game, but also saw some areas that still needed improvements
“Attendance by the boys at the Digicel Centre of Excellence, where most of the team are honing their skills, has improved discipline and ball work as well as greater strength. However we need to keep working on their understanding of the game and encouraging them to work harder still to improve”
The Centre of Excellence takes a break this Saturday and will continue from August 9th each and every Saturday at the A.O. Shirley Ground and over on Virgin Gorda.
The U14 National Squad will be receiving some specific ball skills training, utilizing the Multi Purpose Sports Complex on Tuesday August 12th and Thursday August 14th and then on the same days each week until August 28th, from 9.30am until 12 noon.
