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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National Football Team in Guatamala for CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

June 2, 2021 by

The Men’s National Team is in Guatemala for the next round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022.

With the Worldwide pandemic and regional quarantine protocols once again playing havoc with host territories plans and available alternative venues much sought after, the BVIFA was able to partner with the Guatemala Football Federation to stage its “home” match against Curacao at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City on Sunday 5th June with a 6.00pm (BVI time) kick off.

The other opponents in this round, Cuba, have also elected to play the BVI at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores on Wednesday 2nd June with a slightly earlier kick off time of 5.30pm (BVI time).

According to Interim Head Coach, Dan Neville there were many positives to take from the defeats against Guatemala (0-3) and St Vincent and the Grenadines (0-3) in the previous round staged in Curacao although the next window also proves to be a massive task “These are two extremely tough games and played within 72 hours of each other” he stated “this means we will be looking at using the whole squad and everyone will need to be ready to compete when called upon”

There are two changes to the squad with Denvin Jones coming in for the injured Liam Blok and Charley McMillan Flores.

“Although there were many positives we need to evolve and ensure we exceed the levels of performance and application shown in the last window, and there will be some great opportunities to compete against some top players. As a group of players and staff we must embrace the challenge and meet it head on”
Joining Neville on the staff are John Reilly, Wendal Nichols and Levi James.

The full squad, once again Captained by Kristian Javier (AC Commonwealth) also includes Phillip Graham (Panthers FC), Daniel Gilford, (VG Utd), Will Butler (Poole Town FC) Luka Chalwell (Poole Town FC), Kevin Daniel (Islanders FC), Giovanni Grant (Old Madrid FC), Jerry Wiltshire (Maidenhead FC), Justin Smith (One Love FC), Denvin Jones (Rebels FC), Ikyjah Williams (Rebels FC), Charles Medway (Poole Town FC), Miquel Marshall (Poole Town FC), Carlos Septus (One Caribbean FC), Jamie Wilson (Bridgewater Town FC), T’Sharne Gallimore (Chesham Utd), Luca Reich (Wolues FC), Joshua Bertie (Andover Town FC), Tyler Forbes (Poole Town FC), Robbie Green (Wolues FC), Charley McMillan Lopez

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Positive experience for BVI squad at CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers

April 1, 2021 by
The BVI lost 0-3 against St Vincent and the Grenadines at the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier match in Curacao on March 30, 2021. Photo: BVIFA

While neither of the two results in CONCACAF Qualifying games for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 were the outcome the BVI Football Association planned for, the federation has come away with many positives.

In the first game against the professionals of Guatemala, the youthful and inexperienced BVI put up a marvelous battle to thwart their vastly more experienced opponents and there was certainly no disgrace in the final score line loss of 0-3.

On Tuesday 30th March, after just two days’ rest, the BVI returned to the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curacao to face St Vincent and the Grenadines, who had double the rest time and showed their strength and power in racing into a 2-goal lead inside the first 25 minutes, through Oalex Anderson and Zidane Sam, albeit with the benefit of a slow start and mistake prone effort from the BVI.

Ringing the changes and giving first Luca Reich a debut, linking up with Tyler Forbes and Luka Chalwell in a fresh and energetic striking combination, the BVI took the game to the Vincy Heat and had them on the back foot for much of the rest of the game.

Carlos Septus, Josh Bertie, Tosh Gallimore, Jamie Wilson, Miguel Marshall et al put heart and soul on the line – threatening to score a goal that would set the hearts racing, but The Vincy stayed firm and scored a decisive third late one against the run of play, through Azinho Solomon.

Senior team debuts were handed to Justin Smith and Ikyjah Williams with both settling into defensive roles with maturity, pace and determination, meaning that the future will be a lot brighter for the BVI.

For the record, the average age of the team at the final whistle was 19, with less than 100 caps between them, which if the BVIFA’s development path continues at the same pace, then the rest of the Caribbean had better watch out over the next decade.

“I was very pleased to get on,” commented Reich. “I had a couple of good touches and was happy with my performance if not the overall result. Switching it up at half time and with the youths on, we brought desire and passion, played like we really wanted to work for a result, and pushed them all the way.”

Interim Lead Coach Dan Neville was philosophical about the result but pleased with the debutants. “The first half was very disappointing and we were very lethargic, but the changes at half time, with the young players coming up, made a huge difference and gave us some fresh impetus. We used to struggle off the bench, but now we have real game changers waiting for their opportunity.”

The BVI is effectively out of the running for progression in the qualifying tournament, but still have games to play against Cuba and Curacao at the end of May and early June, both of which will provide stern tests for the team, but one that will be relished as the young team looks ahead to the CONCACAF Nations’ League in September.

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BVI concedes first game of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers to Guatemala 3-0

March 29, 2021 by
BVI Squad lost 3-0 to Guatemala in their first game of the CONCACAF Qualifiers World Cup Qatar 2022 played in Curacao on Saturday, March 27, 2021 Photo: BVIFA

Coming into the game against a team ranked 130 in the world by FIFA, home fans may have feared the worst, but right from the kickoff, the BVI withstood all that Los Chapinos could throw at them and even came close to scoring, when in the 13th minute, Jamie Wilson was denied by the quick reactions of Guatemala keeper, Ricardo Antonio Jerez Figuero.

Going ahead at that point would have sent shock waves through the visiting coaches, but as it was, the team under fire from their fans for under performing in recent games, calmed some nerves when they opened the scoring in the 21st minute, through their talisman Darwin Gregorio Moscosco Lom.

Phillip Graham in the BVI goal could do little to stop the effort by Lom, but from that moment on he pulled off four of five saves to keep the game alive. However, on the stroke off half time and again after chances to equalize through quick breaking football, Guatemala delivered a heart-breaking second goal through Moises Edwardo Hernandez Morales.

The second half saw gradual domination from the professional players of Guatemala, but strong, solid performances by midfield general, Carlos Septus, Jerry Wiltshire in defence, Captain Kristian Javier, Robbie Green out wide and the ever-dangerous Tyler Forbes kept Guatemala at bay until the all important third goal came in the 88th minute from Robin Bethancourth.

“It’s bittersweet to be honest,” commented coach Dan Neville. “I was delighted with the effort, enthusiasm and fearlessness of the players, but disappointed with the way we conceded and disappointed we didn’t convert any of chances at the other end. However, to be stood here and discussing the result rather than the performance against a team like Guatemala, who played really well, is a great benchmark for us.”

The team was set up to hit Guatemala on the break and to have created several chances is testament to the effectiveness of the team tactic and set up.

“We have to manage moments like those and make sure we convert those chances,” concluded Neville. “The result in truth was massive for us, the score line should have been closer and despite still being a work in progress there is so much to look forward to after performances like tonight.”

BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton made the trip to support the team and was enthused and excited by what he saw despite being disappointed in the result. “I guess if we had been asked before the game if a 3-0 defeat would have been acceptable, we might have said yes, but to play a team of Guatemala’s status high up in FIFA rankings complete with a full team of professional footballers, we played outstandingly. We had strong performances throughout the team and could have taken the lead early on before they scored. Ultimately we lost but can be immensely proud of the commitment and effort shown by the players.”

Bickerton was also incredibly pleased with the youngsters on show. “The youngsters coming on and making a contribution were great and we are definitely progressing along the player development path we set out 3 years ago.”

Once of those youngsters, Luka Chalwell, had already made a debut in England’s FA Youth Cup with his Poole Town teammates and was far from overawed by his World Cup debut. “I was so eager to come on, watching how fast and technical they looked just made me want to be out there. It was surreal though when I saw the 4th Official hold my number up to sub on and join my teammates, some of whom I had played with since a little boy and now we were all on the same field in Men’s football made me so proud. I was excited to get on and to have family watching both here in Curacao and back home was crazy! Their players like to talk a lot, but I didn’t let them get into my head, played aggressive and showed my skills.”

The BVI will remain in Curacao and play St Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday 30th March at 6pm.

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BVIFA launches online coaching courses via app and in collaboration with HLSCC

March 25, 2021 by

The BVI Football Association has launched a series of coaches’ education courses, both via an online app and in collaboration with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

The strengthening partnership with HLSCC now includes provision of coaching courses that are of benefit to anyone looking to break onto a coaching pathway, understand performance and how to improve it from both the coache’s and athlete’s perspective as well as further developing coaching ability. The course is offered through the Centre for Professional Development and Community Education (CPDCE), which is part of the Workforce Training Division at the HLSCC, is a self-sustaining and income-generating unit providing leadership in addressing the professional development and community education needs of the Territory and by extension, the Caribbean Region.

“Our FA coaching courses in partnership with the college have been designed to boost the knowledge and understanding of coaching across all sports in our region and beyond and offer full accreditation to those who complete them,” explained BVIFA Technical Director, Mr. Dan Neville. “The courses are online, delivered live by expert practitioners at times that will hopefully suit coaches and reflect the BVIFA’s commitment to developing it’s coaches and in turn the level of the participants on our islands and beyond.”

CPDCE was previously known as the office of Centres & Institutes (C&I). This office has been rebranded and re-structured to better meet the needs of the business and general community.

Professional Development refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement that encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from College certifications to formal workshops, conferences and informal learning opportunities situated in internationally acceptable principles and practices. On the other hand, Community Education encompasses all those approaches and activities that are concerned with life-long learning that has been established through educational and enrichment programmes within the local community.

The launch of the new range of courses further develops the ties between the BVIFA and the College following on from the access to courses that are offered by the International Soccer Science and Performance Federation.

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Wolues FC tops BVIFA Super 6 Tournament standings

March 22, 2021 by
Noel Maxwell (light blue) scored a hat trick against the Rebels FC to top the standings of the ongoing BVIFA Super 6 tournament. Photo: BVIFA

A Noel Maxwell hat trick punctuated the weekend’s action in the BVI Football Association’s Super 6 tournament as Sugar Boys FC dropped points and the Wolues FC went back to the top of the standings.

The final score line between the Wolues and Rebels FC was 3-0 but it was not until late in the game that the destination of the points was confirmed as, despite going two goals down by half time, the Rebels dominated the second half and saw a penalty saved.

A Phil Nelson through ball paved the way for Maxwell to open the scoring in the 30th minute and, just 4 minutes later, the same pair combined to double the lead after some good play by Michael Palladino.

The second half saw a more determined Rebels force the Wolues to play deep in their own half and if Curtly Peters had not been denied by Simon Cross from 12 yards, then the outcome could have been different. As it was, Maxwell broke through in the dying moments to see off the challenge from a couple of defenders and slid home to complete his hat trick.

In the other games played, the Sugar Boys FC had a 69th minute goal from Derol Redhead to thank for a share of the points in a 1-1 draw with Lion Heart FC after Sheldon Brown had put his side ahead in the 59th minute.

The Islanders FC continued their resurgence with a 4-2 victory against Old Madrid FC as Rohan Lennon hit a first half brace, an own goal just after half time made it 2-1 and then a McTair James double made sure of another win for the National League Champions.

The final game of the weekend also ended 1-1 as VG Utd’s Devante Samuel scored in the 15th minute before Abner Villanueva equalized for Lion Heart FC in the 43rd from the penalty spot.

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BVI football squad in Curacao for CONCACAF Qualifiers for World Cup Qatar 2022

March 19, 2021 by

The BVI Football squad has safely arrived at its base in Curacao ahead of the first round of CONCACAF Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022 games against Guatemala and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Based at the Acoya Hotel, just across the road from their main training ground in Willemstad, the players have already begun work on acclimatization and fitness with strength and conditioning coach, Javon Carty. They also are being given comprehensive plans on strategy and expectations from the coaching staff, including Dan Neville, Clinton Percival, John Reilly and Morris Mark.

One of the debutants, Kevin Fisher-Daniel, felt the work out had been a nice introduction to the Camp and had set the tone as to the levels of hard work to be expected. “It was just a little thing, but good to have the entire squad together. The work out certainly helped to get rid of the jet lag, but I feel match fit and am ready to go!” he said.

Fisher-Daniel also said he was thrilled to be a part of the squad, ready to play to win and to give his all.

Coach Carty was also happy with the first session. “They are looking very good, the fitness level seems high, and I’m definitely pumped up to see how they perform on the field,” he said.

The squad will have another strength and conditioning session today (Friday 19th March) ahead of an afternoon of training at the Curacao National Stadium named after local goalkeeping hero, Ergilio Hato.

A full programme of training will continue over the weekend and then on Monday, a warmup game against the local Division One champions.

The BVI play Guatemala on Saturday March 27th behind closed doors, due to local COVID-19 protocols and then St Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday 30th March, also behind closed doors.

Both games kick off at 6pm and details of how to watch will be confirmed by the BVI Football Association as soon as they are available.


Full squad: Phillip Jules, Daniel Gilford, William Butler, Kristian Javier, Giovanni Grant, Miguel Marshall, Jerry Wiltshire, T’Sharne Gallimore, Jamie Wilson, Joshua Bertie, Carlos Septus, Robbie Green, Tyler Forbes, Justin Smith, Luka Chalwell, Luca Reich, Liam Blok, Kevin Fisher-Daniel, Ikyjah Williams, Jahmal Prentice and Charles Medway.

Head Coach: Dan Neville
Coaches: Clinton Percival and John Reilly
Fitness Coach: Javon Carty
Goalkeeping Coach: Morris Mark
Coach: Richie Morton
Manager: Wendel Nichols
Physio: Sheldon Harry

The BVI squad arrived in Curacao ahead of their World Cup Qatar 2022 CONCACAF qualifiers and are working on acclimatization and fitness and on strategy and expectations with coaching staff.

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Sugar Boys FC maintain 100% record of wins in BVIFA Super 6 Tournament

March 17, 2021 by

The Sugar Boys FC are now the only team with a 100 per cent record in the Super 6, whilst One Love FC were victorious in the Jamaican Derby against Lion Heart FC at East End / Long Look on Sunday.

Richard Morgan rose highest to seal the come from behind 2-1 win for One Love after Janel Frederick had put Lion Heart ahead in the 20th minute. Jalen Prentice saw his 30-yard free kick in the 56th minute fly into the back of the net with the keeper only able to get a glove on it diverted into the net for the leveler, before Morgan met Samuel Zeron’s cross in the 83rd minute to grab all 3 points.

“It was a physical and competitive game,” commented One Love Coach, Javon Carty, who saw his team rise to 5th in the standings with the win. “Worthy of any derby game, with lots of strong tackles, plenty of goal mouth action and it took a great move, ending in a pinpoint cross and a bullet like effort from our talisman, Morgan, to separate the teams.”

Also, at East End / Long Look, Wolues FC lost their perfect start to the tournament and slipped down to second in the standings, being pegged back by One Caribbean FC, who are in 6th, after racing into a two-goal lead.

Chester James in the 11th and Noel Maxwell in the 29th seemingly had put the Wolues well on their way to a fourth consecutive win, but first Carlos Septus in the 78th and then Gethin Jones in the 87th gave One Caribbean a share of the points in a 2-2 draw.

“It was a battle to the end,” noted One Caribbean FC Coach, Morris Mark. “The game was drifting, but Carlos created the drive for us to get back into the game and then with the full backs whipping in crosses, the momentum shifted. It’s was great to see youngster Jones popping up to slot home a deserved equalizer and definitely a moral victory for us.”

Meanwhile over on the recreation ground in Virgin Gorda, Sugar Boys FC claimed a 1-0 win against Panthers FC, courtesy of a Mohamed Kachour strike in the 78th minute to move into top spot and make it four wins from four.

The Panthers stay in 3rd place, whilst the Islanders, in 4th, closed the gap to just one point and began to look in top form as they beat Rebels FC, 3-1. The goals coming from Charles Bonnick in the 5th minute, Sheldon Harry in the 71st and Anfernee Johnson deep into added time at the end of the game.

Curtly Peters had managed to put Rebels level in the 27th minute from the penalty spot, but now that the Islanders have got themselves back into training, they are notching it up a gear and becoming a well-oiled machine again.

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BVIFA Super 6 Tournament update

March 4, 2021 by
One Love FC and Panthers FC draw their match in the ongoing BVIFA Super 6 Tournament

As the BVI Football Association’s Super 6 tournament continued over the weekend at East End / Long Look, One Love FC and Panthers FC shared the points after a last gasp Richard Morgan winner was disallowed.

Winning a corner in the dying seconds, Richard Morgan appeared to have grabbed all three points for One Love when he latched onto the loose ball and fired home only for the referee to have already blown for full time, leaving the game tied at 2-2.

Abner Williams had put One Love ahead in the 20th minute before Nigel Sanderson equalized from the penalty spot 9 minutes later. Williams restored the lead in the 41st minute and then just after half time Sanderson leveled things up.

The Wolues FC had an impressive 0-4 victory over VG United with two goal salvos from both Timothy Parsons and Robbie Green.

Parsons opened the scoring in the 8th minute running onto a Phil Nelson through ball to finish first time past the oncoming goalkeeper. Green added a second later in the first half when he was the first to react to a saved shot and placed the ball into an empty net. The third came after Parsons skillfully lifted a pass over a defender and headed past the out rushing keeper for Green to smash the ball into the empty net and Parsons added the fourth after neatly volleying home from a brilliant Luca Reich cross.

The Sugar Boys FC took all 3 points from a tough battle against Old Madrid FC as German Gonzalez scored the only goal of the game in the 47th minute.

“The goal was spectacular,” commented McGraw Baptiste.“Both teams played well, and Old Madrid have improved physically – especially with their new signings. We missed quite a few clear chances in the second half, but overall, it was an exciting game.”

The Islanders FC also got their campaign underway with a 3-0 victory over One Caribbean FC, which came as a relief to Captain Ranalie Caines. “It was convincing in the end,” claimed Cains. “And a big relief after losing our first game (against the Wolues) and all the goals came from our brand of football, which was good to see.”

Sheldon Harry in the 9th, Kevin Fisher-Daniel in the 54th and Oswort Holder in added time at the end of the game from the penalty spot.

Standings as of 1st March

Coming up on Saturday 6th March, the Islanders take on Lion Heart FC at East End / Long Look with a 4pm kick off and on Sunday 7th March at East End, One Love FC face Wolues FC also with a 4pm kick off, whilst over on Virgin Gorda at the Recreation Ground, Sugar Boys FC are up Rebels FC at 5.45pm followed by Panthers FC playing VG Utd.
 

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