By: BVI Football Association

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.

On Saturday 26th July, 2014, the BVIFA will be undertaking the next step in the continued development of Youth Football when the U15 and U14 Girls and Boys teams from Lazara F.C., which forms a major part of the USVI’s Youth Programme, pay a one day visit to the Territory.

The first game, scheduled for 10.00am on the A.O. Shirley Ground, features the U15 BVI Girls up against their Female counterparts from the Lazara Club and then the first of two Boys nine a side matches will take place between the U14 teams.

Those two games are scheduled for 11.20am and 12.30pm.

The Girls game will be a good indicator of how well the BVI has progressed under Coach Kate, who is back for a second term, having previously been at the helm for the U20 team in last year’s World Cup Qualifying Campaign. She has been overseeing the group that our preparation for the CONCACAF U15 Tournament being hosted by the Cayman Islands, in early August.

The Girls, who train every day, both on the field and in a classroom environment, have been pitched in a group with the host Nation as well as Curacao and the Turks and Caicos.

“The girls have been in training and doing well. They have picked up on what I’ve been trying to coach them and improving. We’ve established our values and implemented the building blocks to ensure that we are competitive in the competition”

The BVIFA is quickly establishing a new model for its National Team’s and the U14 Boys are the first to get a more focused approach, through arranged fixtures and attendance at the Digicel Centre of Excellence, which was spearheaded by the BVIFA Technical Director, Mr. Keith Griffith.

“I believe that the BVIFA will continue to ensure that this group will be prepared professionally and positively to enhance the future development of Football within the Territory. The Association has identified this age group as the ideal starting point to strengthen its grassroots foundations and as part of its new long term strategy will continue to build upon the skill sets shown by the youngsters going forward.” Noted Griffith.

The same group will kept together for participation in the U15 Boys CONCACAF Tournament slated for 2015 and have already played Friendly games against Nevis as well as participating in an Easter Tournament in St Maarten.

This will not be the first time that the Boys have faced Lazara F.C as back in the Easter Tournament both the “Rockers” and the “Babes” came up against the St Thomas team.

The “Babes” suffered a 1-0 defeat to them in Group play, but in the match to determine 5th and 6th place overall, the Rockers played the game of their lives to rout their opponents 4-1.

Luca Reich hit a sublime half volley from 20 yards out to give the Rockers a 1-0 half time lead and in the second half they really turned up the heat, scoring their second via the boot of Miguel Marshall, the third direct from a Parkins corner and the fourth, a fantastic solo effort from Hash Banthia.

As a continuation of its progressive youth football focus, the BVIFA welcomed two U13 Boy’s teams from the Nevis Football Associations youth programme to the Territory, last weekend, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July, for a series of matches against the BVI Rockers and the BVI Babes.

On Saturday the two games took place over on Virgin Gorda and both ended in 1-1 draws. On Sunday the Babes held on for a 1-1 draw and the Rockers went down 3-1 as Nevis scored twice late on.

The Nevis Boy’s were given a good run for their money by the BVI, despite the Rockers and Babes only having played once before, competitively in St Martin and the Nevis players being two years into their programme.

Jamir Claxton the Nevis Coach felt pretty good and proud of all the players he had seen over the weekend “First of all I would like to thank the BVIFA for hosting us, they did a brilliant job. I’m very proud of our players and also the BVI’s Youth players. Our players have been together for two years now and all come out of our Primary School League”

The Nevis programme brings the boys together two or three times a week, which mirrors what they BVIFA is now doing with its Youth programmes.

Keith “Grell” Griffith also noted that the BVI were improving and progressing under the new focus “The future looks bright for the BVI teams; they led early in the games, but couldn’t hold on. Nevis were technically better and better organized on the field, the BVI battled hard

Griffith and the BVIFA will be looking to arrange more matches for the U13’s going forward and continue to expand its grassroots development programmers

“The Nevis visit was instrumental to the develop of our youth programmed and a good indicator of how we compare with other similar Territories. With the exception of some players the teams were comparable and the F.A. is very pleased with how the weekend went” commented Ag. General Secretary, Alfred Reid.

The Digicel Centre of Excellence continues every Saturday on both Virgin Gorda and Tortola and has been a key component for the technical development of the Boys who featured in the teams over the weekend.

By: BVIFA

Courtesy of a rather bizarre goal from Kenmore Simmonds, Old Madrid F.C were crowned Division One Champions on Saturday June 14th, with a 1-0 defeat over nearest rivals, the Panthers F.C.

Just over the hour mark of a rather tepid clash and a game the Panthers had to win to have a chance of sneaking into top spot, Old Madrid skipper, Simmonds, raced onto a long ball down the Panthers left and as he ran out of space hit a speculative cross that fell straight into the arms of the Panthers keeper, Rudolph Davis. He however contrived to let the ball slip from his grasp and deflect into the net for the only goal of the game.

“It wasn’t a pretty victory” noted Simmonds “the keeper made a big mistake, but we had a good league season, we played well throughout and today were the best team too “

Simmonds, who said he was looking forward to the challenge of the Premier League next season, also noted that his team had benefitted from continued practice and also taking part in various tournaments as the BVI Masters team.

Team Coach, Elroy Mills, commented that despite a lack of discipline and time keeping, the team had all dug in and played well. “Whenever I had an eleven in mind players would turn up late and I had to use the bench. For “Old Folks” they played well, but now we will have to bring in some of the younger guys and get more disciplined with our approach”

Whilst Old Madrid have a chance to add to their silverware, the Panthers also have an opportunity to redeem their season, with both teams featuring in the Semi Finals of the Terry Evans cup.

On Saturday June 29th, the Panthers face the Premier League Champions elect, The Islanders F.C. and then Old Madrid take on VG United on the same day, with both matches scheduled for the A.O. Shirley Ground.

By: BVI Football Association

Although there is still over a month of football left in the season, the Islanders went a long way to sealing the Premiership title with an emphatic 4-1 victory over the Sugar Boyz on Wednesday night on the A.O. Shirley Ground.

The win, which knocked the Sugar Boyz out of the Championship contention, means that whatever the result in the Islanders game on Sunday June 15th against the Wolues, a win against One Love next Wednesday, June 18th, will secure the first ever Premiership Trophy.

A win for One Love in that crunch game would then mean that they could pip the Islanders if they secure victories in their remaining fixtures.

The outcome of the match against the Sugar Boyz was effectively determined inside a crazy first five minutes for the Boyz defense when Valdo Andersen latched onto a long ball from Francis Primo ahead of the advancing Leslie Ambrose to slot home the opener and then Rohan Lenon doubled the score with the keeper nowhere in sight and only Pipe to beat from close range.

Pipe in fact blocked his first attempt, but had no chance with the second shot, when the ball bounced kindly at the feet of Lenon, who made no mistake when presented with a second opportunity.

Following a disallowed goal for off side, much to the dismay of Fitzroy Daley, Derol Redhead should have at least hit the target, if not pulled a goal back for the Boyz at the 15 minute mark, but his shot from 15 yards out went high over the Islanders bar.

Another warning for the Boyz came after 10 minutes of almost forgettable football from both sides when McGraw Baptiste made a despairing effort to cut out a pass from Andersen which was destined for the unmarked Daley on the edge of the box, but it at least stung them into some more positive attacking play which produced a fortuitous goal.

Michael Castillo’s speculative shot from outside the Islanders box, in the 26th minute, had plenty of spin and swerve on it, but Monty Butler, the Veterano Goliano for the Islanders, seemed to have it covered, if not somewhat casually. The ball, however had different ideas and deflected off Butlers arm and chest before nestling, almost apologetically, into the back of his goal.

Before the half time break though, Daley, having moments earlier been denied an appeal for a penalty, when Baptiste seemed to catch his trailing foot to send him tumbling in the Boyz box, restored the two goal advantage with a coolly placed shot past Ambrose.

Early in the second half Castillo should have done better from a free kick just outside the Islanders penalty area, but his tamely struck effort was too easy for Butler. The same player then almost latched onto a flicked header from Derol Redhead and then Butler atoned for his earlier mistake by pulling off a diving save from Nicola Luso’s header, who rose highest to meet a Terry Nanton free kick.

It proved to be the last chance for the Boyz as in the 69th minute Devon Leteen made it 4-1, curling home after a well placed cross Kevon Smith, who was in acres of space down the right following a cross field pass from Andersen.

Division One action returns to the A.O. Shirley Ground on Saturday, June 14th, when at 5pm the Panthers take on Old Madrid knowing a win is all they must strive for.

Old Madrid are top of the table and if they secure all 3 points, or even a draw, then they will be crowned Champions and gain promotion to the Premiership at the expense of the already demoted Rebels.

A win for Panthers and it will be down to goal difference to spilt the two teams, who have been the front runners from virtually day one of the season

A huge crowd of family, fans, friends and rival teams witnessed one of the most incredible Finals in BDO School League history on Saturday May 31, 2014, as only a wonder goal could separate First Impressions U12’s from Joyce Samuel Primary School at the A.O. Shirley Ground.

It is rare that a contender for Goal of the Season actually happens in a final, but the Prentice boys, Jalen and Jahmal, conjured up a piece of Football magic that was not only worthy of the accolade, but also handed First Impressions a winner in a 3-2 victory over defending U12 Champions Joyce Samuel Primary School as the BVIFA BDO School League climaxed on Saturday.

For the older generation the goal was created out of Dutch “Total Football” folklore, a fitting analogy as both play in Orange and it would be no surprise had the drag back and pass from Jalen Prentice been Johann Cruyff, the Dutch Master, passing to Johnny Rep in 1974.

For the newer generation read Ronaldo to Benzema, Suarez to Stirling or even Aguero to Dzeko.

Taking a pass from Guillaume Parkins into his stride Jalen dragged the ball from left to right and flicked a pass from behind his body into the JSPS penalty box. Brother Jahmal reacted first and deftly lifted the ball over the diving Riley Christopher with the outside of his boot to send the ball curling into the net.
That it took such a moment of brilliance from FIPS to secure a hard fought win was testament to how well JSPS had played during the final, which saw them recover from going a goal down, scored by Parkins, to go 2-1 up early in the second half.

Giovanni Grant leveled the game in the 17th minute and then Christopher scored direct from a clearance to put JSPS ahead. Parkins then scored his second, from the penalty spot, despite Christopher making a valiant effort to block the powerfully struck shot and during the last five minutes both teams had chances to score, but with defenses at both ends staying resolute it took a moment of magic to determine the destination of the Trophy and when it mattered most, up popped the Prentice Boys.

The BDO and LIME School Leagues Grand Finale had begun with the High School Girls of Elmore Stoutt High School overcoming a Begrado Flax Educational Centre Combined team 1-0 thanks to a close range strike from the very promising “Lala.”

The LIME Boys game between ESHS and BFEC then remained deadlocked at 0-0 before the BDO U7 Primary School Final took centre stage.

Althea Scatliffe Primary School took full advantage of their penalty shoot out prowess to defeat Begrado Flax 3-2 in a sudden death shoot out after the game ended 0-0.
ASPS had reached the semi finals with a win on Penalties and also claimed their spot in the Final with a similar win over Robinson O’Neal Primary before K’ Jari Thomas kept a cool head to fire home the winner in the final.

Jahari Lacey and Keshawn Martin also scored for ASPS, while Jaden Abrahams and Emanuel Etienne were successful for BFEC.

In the U9 Final FIPS raced into a 2-0 lead over Cedar Green courtesy of a Nathan Adams opener in the 10th minute and a Jalen Prentice strike in the 15th minute.

Azarni Callwood pulled one back via a long range shot for Cedar in the 25th minute, but FIPS held on to secure their first Trophy of the day.

The U12 Final then proved the true value of the commitment of BDO to support the BVIFA in fostering talent at youth level and with the support of LIME the developmental stages for young footballers are well and truly set, with the only outcome a talented group of youngsters that will represent the Territory with pride and honour for years to come.

 

As the qualifying rounds for the 2015 Gold Cup got underway on Friday May 30, 2014, Virgin Islands faced French Guiana in Group Two, hosted by Aruba and were downed 6-0.

The game played on the Astroturf surface at the Complejo Deportivo Guillermo Prospero Trinidade, Oranjestad, saw the VI concede a first half penalty, but otherwise match their taller and seemingly stronger physically opponents.

However in the second half with a lack of match fitness beginning to show and a spate of minor injuries upsetting the team’s rhythm, the VI conceded five more goals and looked a tired, relieved group when the final whistle blew.

The injury problems ahead of Sunday night’s game against the host, Aruba, include Troy Caesar (minor concussion), Gregory James (instep bruising), Joel Fahie (ankle), and Chris Telemaque (groin).

“We didn’t get any warm up games,” lamented Coach Avondale Williams. “The players have been outplayed by height and body strength, we were pushed off the ball too easily, but will learn from this and come back strong.”

The VI did create themselves a few chances and showed that when they got the ball to feet and passed it around, then they were a threat to the opposition.

The competition will once again decide several teams that will qualify for CONCACAF’s showpiece event and, on this occasion, one which will obtain an automatic berth to the Centennial America Cup 2016. The champion of the 2015 Gold Cup will then participate in a play-in match against the 2013 champion United States for a spot in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Cuba is the defending champion, capturing it’s first-ever title two years ago by topping Trinidad & Tobago 1-0 in the final. Both sides advanced to the Gold Cup along with Haiti and Martinique.