Sugar Boys, One Love score first wins of 2018 BVIFA National League

February 20, 2018 by

By BVI Football Association

Trevor Ellis (in Yellow), scored the opening goal for One Love’s 3-2 win over the Rebels. Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

The BVIFA National League got underway in fine style on Sunday, February 18, 2018 as both the Sugar Boys and One Love gathered all three points in epic opening day drama-filled encounters.

The Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground, home of both the Sugar Boys and VG Utd, welcomed the Islanders for the first game of the season and a large partisan crowd were not disappointed as the youthful Andres Bailey put the hosts a goal to the good in just the seventh minute.

The lead lasted over an hour before Nano Ottley fired home the leveler in the sixty ninth minute to quell the noise coming from the main stand. However, the Boys would not be denied and soon had their supporters back on their feet when Mohammed Kachour, last season’s second highest goal scorer, smashed home what turned out to be the winner in the seventy ninth minute.

The second game of opening day, over on the A.O. Shirley Ground, was no less of a thriller, with another large crowd witnessing Trevor Ellis give One Love the lead in the seventeenth minute, before Chadwick Evans gave the Rebels a slight half time advantage with strikes in the nineteenth and forty second minute.

An inspired second half performance though from One Love, first saw Carl Stewart level the game at 2-2 in the sixtieth minute, before – with just ten minutes of normal time to go – talisman, Richard Morgan made sure of all three points with a decisive third goal for One Love.

Upcoming Schedule:

FEB 25th 3 Old Madrid v F.C. Sea Argo a.o. Shirley 4.30pm
4 VG utd v Panthers virgin gorda 3.00pm
5 Wolues v Sugar Boys virgin gorda 5.00pm
Mar

4th

 6 Panthers v One Love a.o. shirley 4.30pm
7 Islanders v Old Madrid virgin gorda 3.00pm
8 F.C. Sea Argo v VG Utd virgin gorda 5.00pm
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CONCACAF sets dates for Member Association Licensing decisions

January 31, 2018 by

By BVI Football Association

Director of Football for CONCACAF, Mr Manolo Zubiria. Photo: Provided

The CONCACAF Chief of Football, Manolo Zubiria, has provided some insight as to the initiatives and processes that will be put into place to help professionalize football throughout the Member Associations.

In 2017, it became mandatory for all Member Associations (MAs) to formally implement Club Licensing at the domestic level. It also became a requirement for MAs to properly inspect clubs participating in regional tournaments (Caribbean Club Shield, Caribbean Club Championship, Scotiabank CONCACAF League and Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League) as to assure their compliance with the regional criteria. Therefore, Zubiria is encouraging all Associations to continue their excellent work in 2018, as Club Licensing is still in full effect and will be a key driver for the success of the professional football initiatives being put into place.

The deadline for every Member Association to communicate their Licensing Decisions for First and Second Division Clubs to CONCACAF at clublicensing@concacaf.org will be the following:

Tournament Communication Deadline:
2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF League 1-Jun-18
2019 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League 1-Jun-18
2019 Caribbean Club Championship 1-Jun-18
2019 Caribbean Club Shield 1-Jun-18

According to CONCACF, failure to communicate the Licensing Decisions by the stipulated dates may affect the eligibility of Clubs within the Association as it relates to these competitions. It is also important to note that if the license was granted to the Club as of the communication deadline, but the license is not valid at the time of the competition, it will be the responsibility of the Member Association to send an updated communication once licenses are renewed.

There is a plan in place for the Professional Football Development team at CONCACAF, alongside FIFA, to conduct Compliance and League Assessment Visits on all Member Associations that have clubs participating in upcoming regional competitions to assure that MAs and Clubs are on the right track to obtaining professional status and becoming eligible for our competitions.

Visits for participating Member Associations / Clubs for the 2018 Caribbean Club Shield will be January – March; March – April for the 2018 Caribbean Club Championship; May – June for the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF League and August – December for the 2019 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

The coordination of these visits will be communicated directly to the Associations Club Licensing Manager via CONCACAF’s Professional Football Development team.

Any questions or concerns re Club Licensing should, in the first instance, be directed to the FA General Secretary, via email gensec2@gmail.com

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VI National U12 Squad off to Puerto Rico for Caribbean Showcase Soccer Tournament

January 25, 2018 by

By BVI Football Association

BVI U12 Soccer players. Photo: BVIFA

BVI Football Association coaches, Cassandra Gregg and John Riley will be accompanying the U12 Boys National Squad to the 3rd Annual GPS Caribbean Showcase Soccer Tournament in Bayamon, Puerto Rico from Saturday 26th January until Monday 28th January, 2018.

According to Coach Riley, the trip will offer a fantastic opportunity for the boys to continue their development and experience a highly competitive Tournament

“We have a talented group traveling to enjoy and compete at the Showcase and they have been progressing steadily tactically, technically, physically and mentally,” noted Riley. “The tournament will provide a friendly but competitive learning environment that will further their education both on and off the pitch as they see how other teams and players conduct themselves before, during and after games. The showcase will also be a great way for them to make new friends, witness different cultures and thoroughly enjoy themselves.”

The squad includes: Johari Lacey, Jefferson Frank, T’Khoy Morton, Omari Simmons, Ryan Lettsome, Azarni Callwood, Derion Hodge, Jaden and Jadon Abrams, Joel Mars, Lewis Munn, Adrain Padilla, Nicolas Haycraft, Ollie Henderson, Jeriek Samuel and Deshaun Richardson.

The tournament has seen over 100 teams participate in 2016 and 2017. These teams were from various US States including Rhode Island, New York, Chicago, Florida and Boston as well as from countries such as the Dominican Republic, US Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Canada and, of course the British Virgin Islands.

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BVI Football Association stages successful CONCACAF Women’s Day

November 23, 2017 by

Source: VINO

Participants doing drills at the CONCACAF Women’s Day Celebration on Saturday, November 18, 2017 on the new Pitch at Long Look/East End, on the main island of Tortola. Photo: Dean ‘The Sportsman’ Greenaway

The BVI Football Association (BVIFA) staged a remarkable CONCACAF Women’s Day Celebration on Saturday November 18, 2017 on the new Pitch at Long Look/East End, on the main island of Tortola.

The event was remarkable because not only did it come on the back of the devastating storms that smashed their way through the territory two months ago, but also despite the mass exodus of residents, including school aged girls, the numbers that turned out and braved the rains were well into the high 30’s.

“It’s nice to see all of you out here,” commented General Secretary of the BVIFA, Mrs Julianna Luke. “We have had some challenges, but the interest shown is a good sign.”

Mr Dean H. Greenaway aka The Sportsman, on behalf of the acting Director, Mrs Brenda Lettsome-Tye, noted it was a historic day, as it was the first time the women’s event had used the new field. Greenaway also stated the enthusiasm was wonderful and the positive energy a great sign for the future.

BVIFA President Mr Andy Bickerton addressed the girls with further words of encouragement: “It is really good that you could all turn up and although we couldn’t get the girls from Anegada here, the numbers are better than we expected. The challenges after the hurricanes are well documented, but the idea today is to introduce more of you into football as there are so many opportunities, whether it be playing, coaching or being an official. Resources will be put into your game and it won’t be long until there is a Nations League throughout the Caribbean for Ladies.”

Bickerton also confirmed that the BVIFA was working with FIFA to quickly address the damage to the field and in a short time it would be back to fully functional.

There were also brief comments given by Lilly Pierce, a highly rated youth player. “I hope everyone has a good day and really enjoy themselves.”

Jackisha Rigobert, the most recent U15 Girls Captain, encouraged all the girls to do their best and take the opportunity to show off their skills and to keep on going regardless of situations.

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BVIFA CONCACAF to celebrate Women’s Football Day

November 13, 2017 by

By the BVI Football Association

The BVI Football Association (BVIFA) in conjunction with the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) will be celebrating its third annual Women’s Football Day on Saturday, November 18, 2017.

Building on the success of the second women’s day held in 2016, in which all 41 member associations within the Confederation united to shine a spotlight on efforts to create more opportunity for girls and women to play the game, this year’s full-day event, which starts at 9am on the new field at East End / Long Look, continues the BVIFA’s on-going work to strengthen programming in order to increase women’s participation in the game.

“At this time, with so much devastation to overcome it is important for the BVIFA to provide a fun day for all our female footballers.  Additionally, given the exodus of young people the BVIFA has to create a new vibrant atmosphere to encourage new players to the sport as we continue efforts to re-establish our data bases and rebuild schools’ football programmes. This is in line with the CONCACAF aim of consolidating a solid platform for the sustainable growth of women’s football within CONCACAF,”

As the focus of the BVIFA CONCACAF Women’s Football Day 2017, on Saturday, November 18, the BVIFA will officially kick off the preparations for the 2018 CONCACAF U-15 Girls’ Championship.

Each member association has been encouraged to host an activity aimed at training its U-15 team. The CONCACAF U-15 Girls’ Championship, which debuted in 2014, focuses squarely on access to the game for girls, exposing them to the benefits of football on and off the field.

“The women’s game is in such a climate that it is critical that the world and regional governing bodies create ready opportunities for the younger generation of females to play the game,” said CONCACAF and FIFA Council member, Sonia Bien-Aime. “Encouraging free play at the earliest opportunity with young females will cast a welcome net over these eager players who will not only learn to love the game but will be the ones to grow football from the early stages to the highest level of competition.”

In addition to next year’s CONCACAF U-15 Girls’ Championship, in 2018, the Confederation prepares to host a range of important women’s events including the Women’s Under-20 and Under-17 Championships, and the CONCACAF Women’s Championship, which qualifies Confederation teams to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

In recent years, CONCACAF has demonstrated leadership in women’s football on and off the field, with member associations from Costa Rica and Canada hosting FIFA’s 2014 tournaments for youth players – the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups, respectively. In addition, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ drew a total attendance of more than 1.35 million, setting a new total attendance record for a FIFA competition other than the FIFA World Cup™, a championship kept in the region with the victory of CONCACAF nation United States.

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BVIFA after school football programme on hold

September 30, 2017 by

By the BVI Football Association

BVIFA After School Football Programme on hold post Irma and Maria. Photo: BVIFA

Despite the great news that schools will be slowly re-opening in the aftermath of the two devastating storms, Irma and Marie, the BVI Football Association’s After School Football Programme is still on hold for now.

The situation should change quickly as soon as suitable, safe venues can be confirmed enabling the programme to resume.

Whilst more and more football will undoubtedly take place before the year is out, the ever popular BDO Primary School League and the BVIFA’s High School League are also on hold with a possible start date slated for early in 2018.

Meetings will take place over the coming days to see how best to engage the youths in football – once there are safe environments and to rebuild the after school programme – to continue to provide a meaningful avenue for youngsters to stay fit, healthy as well as provide a welcome relief from the day to day stresses caused by the storms.

High school football, will not be overlooked with visits to be ongoing to those institutions re-opened to evaluate needs, equipment and suitable space.

Additionally, the BVIFA will be looking to re-establish its databases and contact all those who have been involved in the game and who aspire to reach representative levels.

One of the more important tasks is to assess how many players are still in the country and then track down those who have left.

For more information and updates contact Juliana Luke at bvigensec2@gmail.com or call 1 284 340 5655.

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BVIFA U15 Team reach Division 3 final at CONCACAF Championship

August 25, 2017 by

By the BVI Football Association

The BVI boys U15 Football Squad. Photo: Provided

The boys, having surpassed expectation to reach the Division 3 final in the CONCACAF U15 Boys Championship, found French Guyana too hot to handle on Saturday, 19, August at the IMG Academy, Florida losing 6-0.

The first half was an evenly matched affair, with perhaps the French Guyana team a little wasteful in front of goal, but the BVI also had chances to score and who knows how different the outcome would have been if a late one-on-one with the keeper had gone in for the BVI.

As it was, the BVI boys had given their all to match the French Guyana team who appeared fitter and had a slight technical edge and, despite making several changes during the second half to stem an ever increasing flow of attacks, the boys wilted in the heat of the day and conceded six goals.

Finishing as Group J Champions, in itself was beyond the hopes of even the most ardent supporter or parent, of which several made the trip to the Tournament.

To end as runners up in Division 3 was a great achievement as captain, Guillaume Parkins noted, “they were fitter definitely, but we had a few opportunities that just didn’t end up in the back of the net. We could have played better overall, but I am pleased with how we did and it is what it is. We need to move the ball quicker, get fitter and come back stronger, but take nothing away from us as we had a great tournament”

In earlier group play the BVI boys beat Montserrat 8-2 as Bailey Rowe again led the front line with skill and an insatiable desire for goals, netting four times in a first half onslaught that also saw Tyler Forbes scoring twice and Luka Chalwell once.

“It is a good experience playing with this team and scoring four goals was excellent,” commented Rowe.

Coming out of the first half break leading 7-1, the coach was able to rest players and protect those on yellow cards from possibly missing out on the final game.

Marcus Butler added another goal though and the final score was 8-2.

Goalkeeper, Alexander Keen, who virtually has had a ringside seat for the big victories, was also full of praise for the team. “The team has done really well, especially scoring 19 goals in three games, that’s pretty impressive at any level,” he said.

Keen was also eager to add that he had three assists in the victory against Montserrat and was quite happy with his “worldly pings”, which is smashing the ball as far as you can and hoping the forwards latch onto the ball and do something with it, like scoring goals.

The Turks and Caicos team were soundly thrashed, 7-3.  Even though the BVI coach, Marcos Falopa, made four changes to the team that started the 4-0 win over Anguilla, the new faces quickly put any doubts about the result to rest with a dominant display.

By half time the BVI were already 3-0 ahead after goals from Charles Medway (2) and Bailey Rowe.

Rowe would then make it 4-0 from the penalty spot early in the second half and complete his hat trick the other side of a Marcus Butler goal to make it 6-0.

Several substitutions ensued and the Turks and Caicos boys pulled a goal back before Kahil Farrington made it 7-1 with a powerful header.

Farrington noted that he was surprised to score. “I knew I made good contact, but didn’t realise it was going in. We have now had two good wins and should make it to the finals,” he said.

The Tournament began for the BVI with a comfortable 4-0 win over Anguilla.

The game, played in blistering heat at the IMG Academy in Bradeton, Florida, began at a slow pace, but it was the BVI boys who were soon in the ascendancy as, after a spate of chances that went begging, Miguel Marshall fired home to open the scoring.

The BVI lead was soon doubled as Tyler Forbes rose high at the far post to get his head to a Luka Chalwell Cross.

Forbes then made it 3-0 early in the second half as he surprised everyone, spinging the off-side trap and flicking the ball past the Anguillan goalkeeper.

Number 4 came from the boot of Marcus Butler and the game was all over.

The full squad included Declan Rose, Alexander Keen, Alejandro Santos, Giovanni Grant, Denvin Jones, Glenford Prentice, Shamsi Dore, Luka Cherwell, Kahlil Farrington, George Rowe, Robert Medway, Miquel Marshall, Marcus Butler, Tyler Forbes, Jalen Prentice, Jake Forbes and Justin Smith.

Coach, Marcos Falopa, Assistant Coaches, Richie Morton and Dan Neville. Physio, Sheldon Harry

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BVIFA Boys’ U15 National Football team kicks off with a win at CONCACAF Championship in Florida

August 14, 2017 by

By the BVI Football Association

BVIFA U15 Boys National Football team at 2017 CONCACAF Championship, Bradenton, Florida. Photo: BVIFA

The BVIFA U15 Boys National team kicked off their CONCACAF Championship in fine style on Sunday, August 13, 2017, with a 4-0 rout of Anguilla.

The game, played in blistering heat at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, began at a slow pace, but it was the BVI Boys who were soon in the ascendancy as, after a spate of chances that went begging, Miguel Marshall fired home to open the scoring.

The BVI lead was soon doubled as Tyler Forbes rose high at the far post to get his head to a Luka Chalwell Cross.

Forbes then made it 3-0 early in the second half as he surprised everyone, spinning the off-side trap and flicking the ball past the Anguillan goalkeeper.

Number 4 came from the boot of Marcus Butler and the game was all over.

“I’m very proud of the team,” commented Guillaume Parkins, the team Captain. “We had four players that we hadn’t played with yet and they gelled into the set up perfectly. It was like heaven when the ball eventually went into the back of the net. We kept trying, Forbes is a beast and he did his job today. Butler thoroughly deserved his goal too.”

Next up for the BVI is Montserrat on Tuesday, followed by the Turks and Caicos on Wednesday.

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Islanders F.C. win 2017 Terry Evans Cup

July 24, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

Islanders F.C. win Terry Evans Cup 2017. Photo: BVIFA

In front of a packed crowd at the A.O. Shirley Ground, the Islanders F.C. romped to a convincing and comfortable, 3-1, victory over the Sugar Boys to win the Terry Evans Cup, on Sunday, July 23  2017.

The opening exchanges were the cut and thrust of true cup final legend, but once Ranalie Caines had scored a sublime goal direct from a free kick 25 yards out, the Islanders began to control the game against the VG based opponents who were, admittedly, missing a couple of key players.

It was still anyone’s game at just 1-0, but early in the second period, Kevin Fahie got the better of Derol Redhead, playing in the back four for Sugar Boys, and fired home to make it 2-0.

McTair James nodded in a third for the Islanders before Terry Nanton scored a late consolation penalty to make the final score 3-1

“The Sugar played a good game, but we stuck to our game plans and held our composure and it paid off,” noted Captain of the Islanders, Andy Davis. “(Ranalie) Cains has never been shy about taking free kicks and luckily for us, he scored and we were able to dominate from there. We are a champion team and that is what our fans expect us to do!”

Derol Redhead of the Sugar Boys commented that the game had been a typical tough-tackling, hard running encounter, but rued the fact some key players had been unavailable. “The players put out their best and, up until the free kick, we were in the game despite not being able to field our first choice team or having much on the bench.”

 

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Champion Sport Soccer Camp ends in success

July 10, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

Participants in the BVIFA youth Champion Sport Soccer Camp at East End/Long Look. Photo: BVIFA

The new pitch at the BVIFA’s East End/Long Look Stadium site was heralded as good as anything that the coaches from Champion Sports International had seen, when the closing ceremony of a week-long camp took place on Friday, July 7.

Nearly 100 boys and girls had taken part in the camp, the first in a projected long-term partnership with the England based company that has ties with many professional clubs and a proven track record in getting players on pathways to careers in the game.

Dan Neville, one of the visiting coaches was very impressed with what he had seen. “The pitch is amazing,” he said. “When you use grass it wears out, but this artificial surface has made things perfect. The youngsters too showed great attitude, the willingness to try new things and the commitment. Even at the end of the long hot days they are still raring to go. They have been great to coach.”

Going forward, Neville foresaw a great partnership with teams coming out to the BVI and players from here traveling to England for further coaching and even the chance of being “spotted” by scouts from clubs.

BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton was also very impressed with the ways things had gone. “It has been tremendous to see so many youngsters coming out every day and it has been a wonderful opportunity for them. The attitude has been very positive and if we can maintain this and build upon the achievements then the player pathway to senior levels will be there,” he said.

Bickerton also noted that the coaches from England had said there had been a tremendous improvement in the technique of the boys and girls. “Now we have this facility and youngsters have a good surface to play on, and we maintain our programmes then, although we have a way to go to catch up with other countries, the future will be bright.”

At the end of the presentation of certificates, the visiting coaches, Neville and the BVIFA coaches, Thomas Albert, Marcos Falopa and Richie Morton chose their Players of the Week who each received a pack of “Laceys”- a new product designed to help keep boot laces in place.

The winners were Tola Broderick, Luka Chalwell, Guillaume Parkins and Miquel Marshall.

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