U20 Boys’ Football team face defeat in first CONCACAF Championship match

November 9, 2021 by
BVI Boys U20 lost 7-0 to strong Curacao team in opening match of 2021 CONCACAF Championships on Nov 5. Photo: BVIFA

The U20 Boys were handed a 7-0 defeat by a strong Curacao team on Friday, November 5 as they opened their Group A campaign in the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) Championship.

The game, played at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, was a baptism of fire for the boys palying against a stronger, faster – especially when transitioning into attack – Curacao, who opened the scoring in just the 4th minute through Gio-Renys Felicia as the BVI lost possession on the right-hand side.

Naygiro Sambo doubled their advantage in the 18th minute and Curacao were 4-0 up inside the half-hour mark with further goals coming from Juruel Bernadina and Felicia before Sambo scored his second, making it 5-0, just after the re-start. The BVI though rallied defensively, and it was not until the final few moments of the game that Curacao scored through Shudelmar Dorand (90’) and Akram Potmis (90+3’) to pad out the final score at 7-0.

“The boys started the game in very high spirit but after conceding a goal within the first three minutes we never recovered,” commented Coach Clinton “Tinnie” Percival. “Curacao took advantage of our defensive mistakes but as the game went on, our boys started playing better. During the half time break we made a few changes and in the second half our confidence and ball play also improved, and we competed well up until the last five minutes of the game, when we conceded two more goals. I am confident though, that the team will make the necessary adjustments for the next game on Tuesday and have a better outcome.”

“A disappointing result against good opposition,” commented FA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, who made the trip to support the team. “A lot of improvement (in the second half) and I am proud of the way the boys fought to the end showing great National pride! We have to pick ourselves up and move forward.”

The BVI’s next opponent, Grenada had a comfortable, complete performance in a 7-0 victory over Sint Maarten as Deanroy Phillip notched a hat trick (41’, 45+3’, 90+3’), while Aquil Lawlite (13’), Benjamin Ettienne (44’), Shermine Williams (61’) and Simeon Mitchell (73’) all chipped in with goals.

The full BVI squad includes, William Butler, Mekhi Walters, Oliver Henderson, Tai Thomas, Jalen Prentice, Jahmal Prentice, Ikyjah Williams, Justin Smith, Devin Jones, Alejandro Santos, Johari Lacey, Deshawn Richardson, Levon Williams, Luka Chalwell, Sheldon Toney, Gethin Jones, Jarrell Federicks, Milton Creque, Jaden Abrams, Jake Forbes, and Malakai Stanners.

The Technical Staff is Coach, Clinton Percival, Asst Coach, Ritchie Morton, Trainer, Javon Carty, Physio, Levy James, and Manager, Cathie Caine.

Apart from Grenada on Tuesday, November 9, the boys will also be playing Sint Maarten next Thursday, November 11 and Dominica on Saturday, November 13.

At the conclusion of the Championship, the finalists (two teams) will qualify for the FIFA Men’s U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023 and 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. The two losing semi-finalists (two teams) will also guarantee their participation in the FIFA Men’s U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023.

The 2022 CMU20 Championship Group Stage will be played the summer of 2022.

BVI Boys U20 lost 7-0 to a strong Curacao team in the CONCACAF Championship opening match, November 5, 2021. Photos: BVIFA

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BVI Boys’ U20 Football squad in DR for CONCACAF Championship

November 4, 2021 by
BVI Boys’ U20 National Football Team departed on Nov 3 for the CONCACAF Championship in Dominican Republic. PHOTO:BVIFA

The BVI Boys’ U20 National squad landed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on November 3 to compete in the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) Championship November 5 – 14, 2021.

18 teams are participating, all ranked at 17th or below in the current CONCACAF Men’s U-20 Ranking and have been divided into two groups of five teams and two groups of four teams.

The groups are as follows:
Group A: Curacao, Grenada, Dominica, Sint Maarten, and British Virgin Islands
Group B: Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Belize, Saint Martin, and Anguilla
Group C: Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados
Group D: Nicaragua, Guyana, Cayman Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands

Following the conclusion of the qualifiers, 20 teams will participate in the 2022 CMU20 Championship. This will include the top four teams from the qualifiers and the region’s 16 top ranked men’s U-20 teams who have received a bye to the Championship.

The full BVI squad includes, William Butler, Mekhi Walters, Oliver Henderson, Tai Thomas, Jalen Prentice, Jahmal Prentice, Ikyjah Williams, Justin Smith, Devin Jones, Alejandro Santos, Johari Lacey, Deshawn Richardson, Levon Williams, Luka Chalwell, Sheldon Toney, Gethin Jones, Jarrell Federicks, Milton Creque, Jaden Abrams, Jake Forbes, and Malakai Stanners.

The Technical Staff is led by Coach Clinton Percival, Assistant Coach Ritchie Morton, Trainer, Javon Carty, Physio, Levy James, and Manager, Cathie Caine.

The boys face Curacao on Friday (Nov 5th), Grenada next Tuesday (Nov 9th) Sint Maarten next Thursday (11th Nov) and Dominica on Saturday (13th Nov).

At the conclusion of the Championship, the finalists (two teams) will qualify for the FIFA Men’s U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023 and 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. The losing semi-finalists (two teams) will also guarantee their participation in the FIFA Men’s U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023.

The 2022 CMU20 Championship Group Stage will be played the summer of 2022.

The United States is the current champion of the CMU20 Championship. The North American nation won its second straight CMU20 title and second overall after defeating Mexico 2-0 in the final of the 2018 tournament. The event took place at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

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BVIFA National League Results Week 1

October 27, 2021 by
  • Wayne Phillip scored a hat trick in the Panthers FC 4-0 win over One Love FC
  • Sheldon Harry scored a goal for Panthers FC for a 4-0 win over One Love FC

Wayne Phillip opened the National League season in some style on Saturday, smashing in a hat trick as the Panthers FC overpowered One Love FC, 4-0 at the East End Stadium venue.

Phillip was irresistible, leading his team to victory with goals in the 2nd, 42nd and 84th minutes, whilst Sheldon Harry found the net in 77th minute

“All in all, we had a collective effort, with lots of passes and the team played well2 commented Phillip “We were extremely aggressive on top, striking a lot of shots on goal, with me getting three and Harry the other. The Panthers played really good football and defended well. Offensively we were aggressive, defensively we were aggressive and had lots of passes, all-over a great team effort and going forward, I think that the future is bright. We have made some changes to the team, a stronger midfield now that we are playing a five and all in all the future looks bright!”

The Sugar Boys FC hosted Wolues FC in the late game over on Virgin Gorda and were surprised to only end up with a share of the points in a 1-1 draw.

The Sugar boys dominated most of the play in the first half missing a few good chances but opening the scoring through a defensive mix up by the Wolues which resulted in an own goal. However, the Wolues improved as the game went on, despite remaining the inferior team on the night and offered the hosts numerous chances to extend their lead, none of which were converted, which the Boys would come to regret when Phillip Nelson equalised from a Noel Maxwell cross in added time at the end of the game.

“’We were happy to find a late draw against a very good team, we rode our luck a little but never gave up and got rewarded at the end with a draw,” noted Nelson.

VG Utd were also indebted to a late late goal, in front of their home crowd, as a Thomas Albert penalty in the 4th minute of added time gave them a 3-2 victory.

Curtly Peters had put the visitors ahead in the 3rd minute, Levon Williams equalised in the 23rd, Austin Prentice restored the advantage to the Rebels in the 42nd and Devante Samuel made it 2-2 in the 73rd, before the late drama unfolded.

The other game of opening weekend saw Old Madrid FC hold the Islanders FC 1-1 as Humphrey Leue equalised in the 81st minute after Patrick Glasgow had opened the scoring in the 65th.

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BVIFA appoints former England pro footballer as new Men’s National Team coach

October 8, 2021 by
BVIFA appoints former England pro footballer, Chris Kiwomya as Men’s National Team coach

The BVI Football Association President, Mr. Andy Bickerton and 1st Vice President, Mr. Avanel Morton held a press conference on October 8 to welcome Mr. Chris Kiwomya as the new Men’s National Team coach.

Kiwomya has already been active at a camp in the UK for national team players as well as in the BVI overseeing a camp for the U20 boys ahead of their World Cup Qualifiers in the Dominican Republic in November.

“Chris Kiwomya will have responsibility for the men’s national team primarily and overseeing the progress of our younger age group teams such as the Under 20s.” stated Bickerton. “Kiwomya’s background is quite significant in terms of the direction we want to head and, from the BVIFA’s point of view, we are very pleased to have such an experienced coach on board.”

Kiwomya is an English former professional footballer and manager. He played as a forward from 1987 until 2002 – notably in the Premier League for Ipswich Town and Arsenal. He also played in the Football League for Queens Park Rangers, as well as playing abroad for Le Havre, Selangor and AaB. He also played for the England U21 team. After retiring as a player, he went on to gain his UEFA Pro Licence from the English FA and has coached and managed at clubs including Arsenal Academy and Ipswich. In 2013 he had a spell as manager of Notts County.

On taking up his new role, Kiwomya commented that he was looking forward to the challenge of working with the players and making the game more professional.

“It’s going to be a hard journey, but a really good journey and one where we are all going to learn together and work together to improve the standards of football, both as players and as Coaches.”

Morton noted that he had seen Kiwomya at work on a recent trip to the UK and had been impressed with his communication skills, levels of knowledge and the discipline with which he conducted his sessions. “He also has national pride and will be an asset to our organisation,” noted Morton

Part of Kiwomya’s role also will be to work with the Technical Director to put together a coaching philosophy and to implement a DNA of how we want to play football here on the island, but, as Kiwomya confirmed, “all the coaches will be involved and one thing I guarantee is the players will improve and get better so they are competitive, and we can go into games believing we can win!“

One of the main reasons Kiwomya was keen to accept the role was the hard-working ethos he had witnessed. “Basically I saw a lot of young players at the UK camp and also on Tortola and Virgin Gorda with talent and who are willing to work hard, which fits into how I like to work, and it suits me that they are keen to learn.”

Kiwomya has hit the ground running, not only with last weekend’s U20 Camp, but also putting together some strength and conditioning programmes for players. “It’s not all just about training, but sometimes also about physical work and getting the body stronger.”

Kiwomya will also be helping the women’s programme develop and will be working with the coaches, watching some of the training sessions and using his experience to get the women better technically and tactically.

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BVIFA concludes first online Academy Coaches’ Certificate course

July 1, 2021 by
26 participants attended the BVI Football Association Coaches Education Department’s first online course

The BVI Football Association Coaches Education Department has just concluded its first online course – the Academy Coaches’ Certificate – with 26 participants successfully completing the four-module workshop.

A broad spectrum of new coaches took part in the Academy Course representing clubs such as Panthers FC, Islanders FC, Old Madrid FC, Wolues FC, Sugar Boys FC and Rebels FC as well as players from the National teams and experienced coaches looking to extend their knowledge with new ideas and discussion with the course facilitator, Jason Blake.

Blake who specializes in Talent Identification and Development and who has worked at English Premier League Clubs of Southampton, Burnley, and Bournemouth as well as the Canadian Football Association, put together the course content along with BVIFA Technical Director, Dan Neville.

Modules convered by the course included Managing a Match day, Talent ID, Long Term Player Development and
Session Planning.

Blakd and Neville were pleased with the way the course went.

“We are delighted to get our online coach education underway with our first Academy Coaches’ Certificate. Educating coaches on the islands and beyond is a priority for us and we feel the blend of online and live sessions run in conjunction with the H Lavity Stoutt Community College will have a great impact on the knowledge and performance of coaches from all sports.”

A ”live” education session for coaches on how to build a player’s technical base and which also was concluded recently on Tortola and Virgin Gorda with 18 coaches attending, is seen by Neville as a key component of the BVIFA’s overall development plan for football.

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Sugar Boys win on penalties against Lion Heart in game one of the Super 6 best of three Final

June 30, 2021 by
Sugar Boys 5-4 win on penalties against Lion Heart in game one of the Super 6 best of three Final.

Sugar Boys FC staged a late comeback and then held their nerve to win a penalty shootout 5-4 against Lion Heart FC in game one of the Super 6 Final on Sunday.

The game, played in front of a vociferous crowd at the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground, looked for all money to be going the way of Lion Heart as they led 3-1 with just over 15 minutes left of regulation time. However, the Sugar Boys have a never say die attitude especially on their “home” pitch, and staged a remarkable comeback, as first talisman Derol Redhead made it 3-2 in the 81st minute and then, deep into added time, McGraw Baptiste calmly stepped up to level the game at 3-3 from the penalty spot.

Lion Heart played a hard game and had thoroughly deserved their lead, not only making sure the final series got off to a great start but also making sure the fans got their money’s worth. It was an intense game with Lion Heart taking full advantage of the chances they created, but wilting under some desperate attacking pressure from the Sugar Boys.

Earlier, Dwayne Smith had put Lion Heart ahead in the 36th minute before German Gonzalez equalized in the 38th minute. Smith scored from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute to make it 2-1 and Nicarious Watt seemingly put his team well on the way to a big win in the 74th minute, to make it 3-1, before the drama unfolded.

With the momentum firmly in their favour, each Sugar Boy stepped up to score his penalty, whilst Lindon Wiliams served notice of his intent by getting his hands on a couple of Lion Heart efforts before making the all important save at the death to hand Sugar Boys the early advantage in the best of three series going into next Sunday’s Game 2 at the East End / Long Look venue on Tortola.

Meanwhile in the Women’s League

Laverne Fahie threading her way goal wards for Avengers v Wolues

Avengers FC further stamped their championship credentials on proceedings with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Wolues FC Women after Laverne Fahie scored the only goal of the game in the 10th minute.

Coach Gloria Fahie had pulled off a master stroke as she decided to push “Ebony” higher up the pitch and saw her confidence rewarded in quick fashion. “After that goal,” said Fahie, ”we played a compact defensive game and denied the Wolues many goal scoring opportunities. They had their usual quick passing tactic, but even if they did create something they found no way past Makeda (Fahie) or “Shay-Shay (Vanterpool) in defense nor the agility and skills of our goalkeeper, Britney Peters.”

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Community engages in sports at inaugural BVI Beach Games

June 29, 2021 by

A cross section of the Virgin Islands’ community attended the inaugural BVI Beach Games which was hosted by the BVI Olympic Committee and four national federations at Brandywine Bay beach on June 27, 2021.

In keeping with the tag line, “Unity through Sports”, residents of all ages and abilities took advantage of the opportunity to try the free sporting activities presented by rugby, volleyball, football and sailing and joined in a pick-up game or registered a team to take part in mini tournaments.

“The feedback from all involved with organising this first BVI Beach Games is positive,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee. “While we had hoped that more people would have joined in, we understand that many had changed their plans to come to the beach when they woke up to rain showers in the early morning. Overall, we’re pleased with the event and feel it was a success with a good uptake of the sports that were on offer.”

“This is such a great day! We were a bit put off by yesterday’s rain but so glad that we decided to come out and bring the kids to have fun at the beach. We’re really enjoying the whole thing, including the food!” said one participant attending with her husband and two children.

The BVIOC’s primary mission in facilitating the games is to stimulate the community’s interest in engaging in sports and getting physically active but the ultimate goal is sports development and to foster interest and growth in the disciplines that are played as a competitive beach sports at regional and international level.

“Rugby has already sent national teams to compete in Florida and elsewhere. As the other national federations see an increase in interest from their members in playing competitively in the beach version of their sport, there’s potential to develop national teams that could then play against our neighbours from the USVI, St Maarten and Puerto Rico who would be invited to join in the winter 2022 edition,” said Penn. “The mid-term target is to host the first Regional Beach Games possibly in the winter of 2023 as a sports tourism product provided the COVID-19 travel protocols make it viable.”

The BVI Beach Games included music by DJ Cuffy, fundraising cash bars run by the federations for rugby, volleyball and football, food for sale by Brandywine Estate and ice cream by Icy Treats. Recycling of disposables was managed by Green & Clean VI Ltd. A collection table for the donation of non-perishable items for the Family Support Network was also set up as a charitable community out-reach element.

The June edition was made possible through collaboration between the BVIOC and volunteers of the 4 national federations and was sponsored and supported by ZBVI Radio, Nagico Insurance Ltd, Roadtown Wholesale Ltd distributors of Coca Cola products Dasani water and Powerade, VISAR, Public Works Department and Solid Waste Department.

The beach games took place the weekend after the traditional symbolic Olympic Day run, walk and cycle events held on Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke on Saturday, June 19.

More photos of the event can be viewed on the BVIOC page on FaceBook

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Olympic Day June 23, 2021 – #StrongerTogether

June 22, 2021 by
In the British Virgin Islands, in-person Olympic Day runs were hosted on Saturday, June 19 on the islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. Photo: BVIOC

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today launches “Stronger Together”, a global Olympic campaign that celebrates athletes by showcasing their journey to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and how they kept moving even when the world around them stopped. The story celebrates their strength, resilience and determination to bring hope, unity and inspiration to people around the world.

Timed to launch ahead of Olympic Day (23 June), the story features world-renowned athletes, including past and present Olympians Usain Bolt, Naomi Osaka, Andre De Grasse, Yusra Mardini and Nyjah Houston. Tony Hawk is also present, representing the skateboarding community as they enter their first-ever Games.

It focuses on a people-centric message of Stronger Together, emphasising the IOC’s message of solidarity and the belief that the world moves forward only when it moves together, and the irresistible power of the Olympic Games to unite people, communities and societies across the globe.

The film can be watched here.

The #StrongerTogether campaign has been designed to unite people around the world while building excitement for the upcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Online fan engagement

On 23 June, a number of activities will take place on the IOC’s digital platforms to celebrate Olympic Day. People around the world will be able to connect, chat and get inspired by some of the world’s best athletes, including through a dedicated Olympic Day yoga session with Christy Prior, live chats with Usain Bolt and Japanese surfer Kanoa Igarashi, plus workout sessions and a Q&A with tennis star Venus Williams, to name just a few of the activities. These will focus on both physical and mental strength, and will include workouts as well as advice on mindfulness and well-being.

Olympic Day around the world

Some 110 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) around the world are also planning to encourage people to get active on Olympic Day. In-person activities around the world held where the situation permits, include Olympic Day runs, outdoor games for families, introductions to new sports, meetings with Olympians and workshops on the Olympic values. Digital initiatives, such as virtual Olympic challenges, online workouts, virtual live chats with Olympians, online quizzes and webinars on the Olympic values, will also be organised by NOCs. In the British Virgin Islands, in-person Olympic Day runs were hosted on Saturday, June 19 on the islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke and on Sunday, June 27, the BVI Olympic Committee will host the Territory’s first BVI Beach Games with sporting activities for all ages and abilities hosted by the National Federations for rugby, sailing, volleyball and football encouraging people to experience the Olympic Day message to Move, Learn and Discover”.

Olympic Virtual Series

The finals of the first-ever Olympic Virtual Series, the Olympic-licensed event for physical and non-physical virtual sports, will be broadcast live on olympics.com on 23 June.

Virtual sports fans can choose if they want to watch the Main Olympic Live Broadcast or specific disciplines. The sports featured are: baseball, cycling, rowing, sailing and motor sport.

“Lausanne Capitale Olympique” run

On 23 June, the “Lausanne Capitale Olympique” run, organised by the City of Lausanne (Switzerland), where the IOC is headquartered, will be held digitally for the first time.

The organisers have devised a route of around 7km along the shores of Lake Geneva to discover some iconic places linked to Olympism and sport in Lausanne. Along the route, various personalities will provide comments and encouragement, including the IOC President, who will launch the run. You can take part here.

IOC President Bach: “Let’s celebrate the precious Olympic spirit”

“In this extraordinary Olympic year, celebrating Olympic Day is even more special than usual,” said the IOC President, Thomas Bach. “On this Olympic Day, when the entire world has been facing the same struggles and fears because of the global coronavirus pandemic for far too long, the power of sport to bring hope and optimism takes on an even greater significance. Solidarity, hope and optimism – this is what the power of sport is all about. This is why on this Olympic Day, let us stand together to celebrate the precious Olympic spirit,” he continued.

Olympic Day celebrates the revival of the Olympic Games

The idea of celebrating an Olympic Day was adopted at the 42nd IOC Session in St Moritz in January 1948. The chosen date celebrates the founding of the IOC at the Sorbonne, Paris, on 23 June 1894, where Pierre de Coubertin revived the Olympic Games.

The first Olympic Day was celebrated that same year on 23 June 1948 and, 30 years later, in the 1978 edition of the Olympic Charter, the IOC recommended that all NOCs organise an Olympic Day to promote the Olympic Movement.

Over the last 20 years, Olympic Day has been associated with Olympic Day runs all over the world. First launched in 1987, the runs were about encouraging all NOCs to celebrate Olympic Day and promote the practice of mass sport.

More information about Olympic Day can be found here.

Filed Under: Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, Football, IOC, Olympic Day, Rugby, Sailing, Softball-Baseball, Volleyball Tagged With: , ,

BVIOC to host Olympic Day runs and inaugural BVI Beach Games

June 9, 2021 by
  • Olympic Day Run
  • Beach games

The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC), in collaboration with member national federations will host the first community BVI Beach Games at Brandywine Bay Beach from 10:00am – 4:00pm on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

The BVI Beach Games is an initiative that was first introduced at the BVIOC AGM by the BVI Rugby Football Union as a potential community event following the successful beach rugby and CrossFit fundraiser they organised in November last year.

Working with the national federations for rugby, volleyball, football, sailing and triathlon as well as Castaways CrossFit, the BVIOC is facilitating a community-oriented event aimed at encouraging residents of all ages to try a sport and get active.

The day will feature mini tournaments, pick-up games and an opportunity for anyone to try the aforementioned sports.

“These inaugural games will feature sports that already have a beach version so we know that the land based events are suited to be played in sand,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC. “We are excited to have a fun, healthy and physically active family-oriented event in a safe, outdoor space where the community can get together while maintaining their social distance in keeping with current protocols.”

The BVI Beach Games will include music entertainment, bouncy castles, food and ice cream for sale by Brandywine Estate Restaurant and Icy Treats as well as a bar. Recycling of disposables will be in effect and managed by Green & Clean VI Ltd. A collection table for the donation of non-perishable items for the Family Support Network will be set up as a charitable community out-reach element of the day.

The event will be the first of two annual beach games planned with the second beach games to be hosted in November 2021.

“The long term goal is to develop these disciplines that are already played as beach sports competitively at regional and international level with a view to inviting our neighbours in the USVI, St Maarten and Puerto Rico in the winter of 2022 and hosting the first Regional Beach Games possibly in the winter of 2023 provided COVID-19 travel protocols make it viable,” said Penn.

This event will take place the weekend after the traditional 1 or 2-mile Olympic Day run/walk on Saturday, June 19 in collaboration with the BVI Athletics Association and starting at 7:00am (registration at 6:30am) from the A.O. Shirley Grounds, Tortola and a 3-mile walk/run managed by the Road Runners’ Club and starting at 6:00am from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Virgin Gorda. Cyclists are also welcome to join an Olympic Day ride in VG which will depart from the college at 6:00am.

Attendees at both the Olympic Day events and the BVI Beach Games will be required to observe the protocols of social distancing, wearing a mask and frequent hand sanitising while at the event.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Football, Olympic Day, Rugby, Sailing, Triathlon, Volleyball Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

BVI concedes CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier game to Cuba

June 3, 2021 by

It took a powerful Cuba team 70 minutes to finally break the hearts of the youthful Men’s National Team in a CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala.

Having gone into the half time break at just a goal down, the BVI were still a threat in the second half, but then having spent long periods defending stoically, they were caught out as they changed formation and tactics looking to at least equalize and ultimately were overpowered in a 0-5 reversal.

“For 65 plus minutes we were reasonably comfortable and defended our goal well,” stated Interim Head Coach, Dan Neville. “At one-nil down you have to make changes and try to get a goal, unfortunately we got picked off on the counter by some good moments of quality from Cuba and some moments we’ll be disappointed by. “

Due to injuries and non-availability, several younger players had the opportunity to make debuts and also gain some valuable playing time, which BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton, saw as a positive despite the result. ”It’s a very young team and obviously they’re still learning,” he noted. “At times in the game you could see that they haven’t yet learned how to keep possession of the ball when they are transitioning from defence into attack. However as time goes along they will get more experience and become more comfortable in themselves and then we won’t be under so much pressure. We defended well and, as Coach says, it was only when we actually changed our line up to try and chase the game that we conceded more goals.”

Next up for the team is another World Cup Qualifier against Curacao, which will also be hosted by the Guatemala Football Federation and played on Saturday 5th June at the Estadio Del Trebol in Guatemala City with a kick-off time at 5pm EST.

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