By BVIFA
BVI Football Association celebrated CONCACAF World Women’s Day on May 21. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO
The Women’s Committee of the BVI Football Association pulled off a day of fun filled football action to celebrate CONCACAF World Women’s Day on Saturday, May 21 at the A.O. Shirley Ground.
Almost 50 girls of various ages and abilities turned out for the celebration, including a large group from Virgin Gorda. All were put through dribbling and shooting drills and were given the opportunity to win prizes with their new found skills.
3 v 3 and 5 v 5 games also took place with the older groups and the whole day was a great testament to the development and continued success of women’s football in the territory and around the region.
BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton was on hand to present the awards. “All 41 countries within CONCACAF had a women’s day and the BVIFA has always supported Women’s Football,” said Bickerton. “We at the BVIFA are very pleased with the turn out at the A.O. Shirley Ground today with the 4 age groups: U7’s, U9’s, U15’s as well as Open and especially to see those 5 – 6 year olds out there enjoying themselves was wonderful.”
Bickerton also noted that the world governing body, FIFA has just appointed a female General Secretary showing their commitment to increasing women’s involvement in the sport. CONCACAF elected a female representative to a FIFA Committee in Sonya Bien-Aime and in fact, since Bickerton became president, the BVIFA has placed the development of the women’s game high on the agenda.
Sharlene Pond, who heads up the new Women’s Committee at the BVIFA said, “we had similar numbers today, as last year, but we also saw a good many new faces who will be new players to the game. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and some wanted to carry on playing even after we had the awards ceremony!”
