Football – Page 5

BVIFA announces CONCACAF squad

March 4, 2021 by Admin

BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton and Interim Head Coach Mr. Dan Neville

Interim Head Coach of the BVI for the CONCACAF 1st Round Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, Mr. Dan Neville has announced a squad of twenty-one players for the two games to be played in Curacao later this month.

“The upcoming World Cup qualifiers are another great learning opportunity for the squad and part of our strategic plan to create opportunities for our top performing young players,” stated Neville. “We go into both games fully committed to being as competitive as we possibly can, we cannot guarantee results, but we can guarantee we will be organized, show immense national pride, put sweat on the shirt and have “a never say die” spirit!”

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, T’Khoi Richardson and Charles Medway

Head Coach: Dan Neville

Asst Coaches: Clinton Percival and John Reilly

Fitness Coach: Javon Carty

Goalkeeping Coach: Morris Mark

Coach: Richie Morton

Manager: Wendel Nichols

Physio: Sheldon Harry

With Guatemala being 78 places ahead of the BVI in the FIFA rankings and St. Vincent 40 places ahead, the task is difficult but there is genuine belief amongst the squad that they can cause an upset.

“It is well known that we were looking forward to playing Guatemala at home,” commented Mr. Andy Bickerton. “However, the worldwide pandemic had different ideas and now we will travel to Curacao to face two tough opponents, but we have invested heavily in our youth program for the best part of a decade and although we may be one of FIFA’s smallest member associations, we are probably one of the most ambitious.”

The average age of the squad for the first two games is just 20 and making a senior squad for the first time are Richardson, Chalwell, Reich, Williams and Smith – all of whom started in the BVIFA’s School Leagues.

Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 8pm and the BVIFA will announce full details on how to watch the games, and how to support the team by purchasing a match day program and match ticket in the next few days.

Saturday 27^th March v Guatemala

Tuesday 30^th March v St Vincent and the Grenadines

The venue is the Stadion Emilio Hato in Willemstad, Curacao.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, bvi football squad, CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Qatar 2020, Qatar 2022

BVIFA to host CONCACAF International Women’s Day Football Fest

March 4, 2021 by Admin

The BVI Football Association Women’s Committee led by Mrs. Mary Phillip will be holding a fiesta of fun filled football for females to mark CONCACAF and International Women’s Day on Saturday March 6th, 2021 at the East End / Long Look venue.

All 41 members of the Confederation of North American and Caribbean Football Association will be participating in the event in their respective countries. On each previous occasion, the BVIFA has put the spotlight on efforts to create more opportunity for girls and women to play the game.

The Women’s Committee promises this year’s event will be an even more fun filled festival to further enhance their ongoing development programmes and regional participation at tournaments.

“The intention of this day is to foster a relationship with all women in the territory with the BVIFA and more so the game of soccer with the involvement of young girls and women, learning the game, getting fit, staying healthy and disciplined,” said Phillip.

Phillip also hopes the Women’s Day will foster the spirit of teamwork, improve skills, build confidence and show the girls there is a benefit to being involved in football that goes well beyond the field and which can lead to educational opportunities and even careers which perhaps once were only pipe dreams stating that it’s an opportunity to see “relationships created that lead to friendships and then Championships!”

Following the success of the recently concluded Women’s Futsal League – won by the Wolues FC with a team of girls who have been together since Primary School days highlighting Phillip’s vision – the BVIFA already has wasted no time in implementing much more competitive action for the girls, including a series of Tortola v Virgin Gorda matches, with a game played on Saturday, 27th February at the VG Recreation Ground and an U13 girls’ exhibition game, which showed a vast array of talent and plans to enter regional competition.

The CONCACAF Women’s Day begins at 10.00am on the field at the BVIFA’s new stadium venue in East End/Long Look and is open to all females. The Day will include games, skills’ challenges, entertainment, refreshments, and a special guest appearance from the Honorable Mrs. Shereen Flax-Charles, a long-time advocate of empowering women in football and in life.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, CONCACAF Women's Football Day

BVIFA Super 6 Tournament underway

February 16, 2021 by Admin

Fitzroy Daley (Old Madrid) leveled the game with a penalty kick against the Rebels

The BVI Football Association’s brand new Super 6 Tournament got underway on Sunday, February 14 with Old Madrid FC using all their experience to beat Rebels FC, 3-1, at the East End Long Look stadium.

The unique format sees the member clubs vying for a top six finish whereby they will then play a round robin to see who can qualify for the best of three final in June.

Old Madrid certainly laid down an early marker showing their intent to grab one of the spots that ensures progression with what turned out to be a comfortable, but highly contested victory against a youthful Rebels team, despite going a goal down early on.

Jamal Sargeant put the Rebels ahead in the 17th minute and it was not until added time at the end of the first half that Fitzroy Daley leveled the game from the penalty spot. Giovanni Grant scored a superb solo goal in the 75th minute, to put Old Madrid 2-1 up, when after a mazy run down the left-hand side he calmly lobbed the Rebels keeper.

“It was like experience against youth out there and experience came out on top,” commented Kenrick Grant of Old Madrid. “They seemed very quick and aggressive in attack, but we capitalized on their mistakes in them keeping their shape and caught them on the counter.”

Once Old Madrid had taken the lead, they began to dominate possession and created several good chances, especially from Kenmore Simmonds who seemed to lose his footing at the last minute when scoring seemed an easy option.

Simmonds though would make amends when he wrapped up all three points for his team with a strike in the 89th minute to make it 3-1.

In the other games, played over in Virgin Gorda:
Lion Heart FC beat Virgin Gorda United 2-1 with Janel Ferdinand scoring twice in the first half before Joshua Ramprashad pulled one back for VG Utd in the 82nd minute to set up a frantic last ten minutes. However, Lion Heart remained solid at the back to ensure all three points.

And Sugar Boys FC also got off to a winning start as they saw off the challenge from One Caribbean FC to secure a 2-1 victory. McGraw Baptiste from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute put them ahead before Michael Castello doubled the advantage in the 52nd. Kelvin Glasgow scored a late consolation for One Caribbean.

Weekend schedules:
Saturday 20th February –
One Caribbean FC v One Love FC – East End / Long Look – 4.00pm

Sunday 21st February –
Wolues FC v Islanders FC – East End / Long Look – 4.00pm
Panthers FC v Old Madrid FC – Virgin Gorda Rec. – 5.45pm
Rebels FC v Virgin Gorda Utd – Virgin Gorda Rec. –8.00pm

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, BVIFA Super 6 Tournament

BVIFA National Youth and Women’s Futsal Leagues culminate with All Star matches and presentations

February 16, 2021 by Admin

Wolues FC BVIFA Women’s Futsal League Champions 2021

The culminating matches of the BVI Football Association National Youth Leagues and Women’s Futsal League took place on Saturday, February 13 at the National Stadium Venue in East End Long Look with a galaxy of future stars of the game on show.

In the U13 game, Panthers FC, THE Champion team overcame their All-Star opponents, 3-0, with goals coming from Myles Penn (2) and Lashawn Gibbs.

The U13 Girls Exhibition – added to the day’s play on an initiative from Julia Reich of the Wolues FC – saw a scintillating display that ended 2-2 with goals coming from Millie Cottreau, T’Nyah Richardson, Kyla Flax and Edith Ferrer.

The U17 boys, named as North Ballers and South Strikers by Coaches Richie Morton and Morris Mark, also ended as a draw, with goals from Ikyjah Williams and Sam Potgeiter.

The women’s game, which saw them playing on the full pitch and eleven a side after their Futsal Season, showed how quickly they are returning to full competitive action capability as Tola Broderick scored the only goal of a fast-paced game for Tortola in their 1-0 victory over Virgin Gorda.

All the coaches agreed that the day had been a great success, sentiments echoed by BVIFA Executive Board Members, Mr. Avanell Morton, responsible for Youth Development, Mrs. Loralee Walters-Abrams, the driving forces behind getting so much football organized throughout difficult times, and BVIFA Treasurer, Mr. Kenrick Grant, “It was an excellent day!” noted Walters-Abrams as both she and Morton congratulated all the players and coaches who had made it all possible.

After the dust had settled on some exhilarating displays on the field, the team and individual awards were presented.

U13 National Youth League
Champions; Panthers FC
Golden Boot; Myles Penn (Panthers FC)
Golden Glove; Akeem Paddy (Panthers FC)
MVP; Jaheim Bijai (Panthers FC)
Fair Play Award; (Old Madrid FC)

Individual Club MVPs
Morris Mark III (One Caribbean FC), Azaniah Glasgow (Old Madrid FC), Hugo Hlavacek (Wolues FC), Qu’yl Billingy (VG Utd), Myles Penn (Panthers FC), Kyle Farrington (Sugar Boys FC)

U17 National Youth League
Champions; One CARIBBEAN FC
Golden Boot; Adrian Padilla (One Caribbean FC)
Golden Glove; Oliver Henderson (Wolues FC)
MVP; T’Khoi Richardson
Fair Play Award; Old Madrid FC

Individual Club MVPs
Kemani Forrest (Old Madrid FC), Luca Reich (Wolues FC), Jaden Abrams (VG Utd), Adrian Padilla (One Caribbean FC), Jalen Prentice (One Love FC), Denvin Jones (Rebels FC).

BVIFA Women’s Futsal League
Champions; Wolues FC
Golden Boot; Darci Reich (Wolues FC)
Golden Glove; Tinia Van Zoost (Wolues FC)
MVP; Darci Reich (Wolues FC)
Fair Play Award; Wolues FC

Individual Club MVPs
Morgan Creque (Panthers FC), Tahirah Bascombe (VG Utd), Tola Broderick (Wolues FC), Makeda Fahie (Avengers FC)

Tola Broderick (Wolues FC) congratluated for her goal

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, BVIFA National Youth Leagues, One Caribbean FC, Panthers F.C., Wolues FC

Wolues FC win BVIFA Women’s Futsal League

February 3, 2021 by Admin

The Wolues FC brought their BVI Football Association Women’s Futsal League campaign to a close on Saturday, 30th January with another victory, 3-1, against the Avengers FC, going six from six for a perfect season!

Already guaranteed the championship title in their first year of competitive play, the “Blue Wave” could have been forgiven for taking the foot off the pedal, but not so this group, as the players that have trained together for years as part of the Manatees Programme and played together for various school teams, showed true champion qualities in making sure they kept their 100 % record intact.

The Avengers would prove to be their toughest challenge yet and if it had not been for the alertness, composure, and bravery in the Wolues goal of Tinia Van Zoost, who played most of the second half with a broken finger, the unbeaten streak would have been over.

Darci Reich had put the Wolues up early to settle the nerves, but Laverne Fahie struck back before half time to level the game at 1-1. Undaunted and unfazed, the Wolues girls stepped up their game and Gabi Jermyn fired home a sublime half volley from a corner kick a minute later to make it 2-1.

A back and forth second period saw the Wolues passing the ball around, probing for the cushion of another goal, but also defending resolutely as the Avengers remained a constant threat and it wasn’t until the 44th minute when Reich settled matters with her second goal of the game.

It was a complete team effort and beautiful to watch according to many of the Wolues supporters.

The Coaches also noted that the perfect season was the culmination of the girls’ dedication to training and putting in so much hard work over a lot of years.

The “Blue Wave” should be congratulated for an incredible achievement.

The Wolues FC “Blue Wave” end the 2021 season with a perfect six-for six. *Photos: BVIFA*

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, Wolues WFC

Panthers FC (U13) Wolues (U17) pave the way for National League Championship titles

February 3, 2021 by Admin

The Panthers FC made sure they would be crowned U13 National League Champions with a classy 6-2 victory over the Sugar Boys FC on Saturday 30th January at the East End / Long Look Stadium venue.

With the win, the Panthers are assured top spot as they are ahead of the Wolues FC on goal difference and have a game to play, whilst the Wolues have concluded their season.

“We played at a real high level, starting build ups from the back, and working the ball up the field. The team showed their strength and ability to attack sugar boys defense taking their game to the next level,” commented Coach Wayne Phillip, who was also quick to praise the Sugar Boys for the level of their performance as well.

Christian Vanterpool netted a hat trick, including one exquisite move that saw Jahim Benji dribble down the wing before hitting the perfect cross for Vanterpool to head home. Myles Penn smashed a rocket shot from long distance that caught everyone by surprise on his way to a brace and Marcus Butler.

Kyle Farrington was on hand to score both goals for the Sugar Boys.

One Caribbean FC thumped Old Madrid FC, 5-0, in the other U13 game played at the same venue, as Morris Carey scored a hat trick and both Marc Tan and Dawen Atime one each.

“It was a wet day, but the Old Madrid players did well in the first half,” noted One Caribbean’s Morris Mark. “But once Carey scored the opener, we took over and put the game away.”

Meanwhile in the U17 League, One Caribbean top the standings after a 14-0 rout of Old Madrid, but the destiny of the championship trophy is out of their hands as the Wolues have a game to play and are level on points with the table toppers, who have finished their games.

Adrian Adams (7), Johari Lacey (3), Milton Creque (2), Dylan Cline and an own goal filled the scoresheet for One Caribbean.

Short handed through injury, Coach Morris Mark was pleased to see his younger players take center stage. “After a quick start, Adams and Lacey were put on the bench to allow the youngsters to play and it was good to see how they passed the ball around and kept possession.”

Anything else other than defeat to VG Utd next week will see the Wolues crowned as Champions and they made sure of staying in contention with a 3-1 victory against One Love Utd on Sunday.

Their opponents went ahead through Felix Walters in the 19th minute before Luca Reich equalized in the 26th. Johannes Blok put the Wolues ahead in the 31st and Reich netted his second to make sure of all 3 points in the 38th.

“It was a great game,” confirmed Wolues’ Asst. Coach Walter Reich. “Very competitive!”

VG Utd saw their own slim chance of grabbing the title end in a 2-2 draw with Rebels FC, who went ahead through Denvin Jones in the 43rd minute and doubled their advantage in the 46th through Ikyjah Williams before T’Khoi Richardson struck back in the 47th and 57th minutes to grab a share of the points.

“It was a good, hard fought game,” stated Coach Jermain Abrams. “But we needed to win it!”

Next Saturday, February 6th, in the U13 League, Old Madrid FC take on the Panthers FC and VG Utd face One Caribbean FC, with both games scheduled for a 2pm kick off on the field at East End Long Look. In the U17’s, Rebels FC play Old Madrid, also at East End with a 3.30pm kick off.

On Sunday, February 7th, the Wolues FC against VG Utd takes place at the East End venue, with a 2pm kick off to conclude the season.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, BVIFA National League, Panthers F.C., Wolues FC

Local coaches benefit from Session Planning webinar delivered by Jason Blake , a EUFA Pro Licensed Coach

January 26, 2021 by Admin

Several regional coaches and technical directors joined dozens of local coaches on Saturday, January 23rd on a Session Planning webinar hosted by Jason Blake, a UEFA Pro License Coach and founder of Global Soccer Education with over fifteen years’ experience of soccer coaching in the English Academy system with Southampton FC, AFC Bournemouth and Burnley FC.

Blake, who is currently working with the Canadian Soccer Association as well as being the Technical Director of the West Canada Soccer Academy, took the participants through the basic principles of session planning and put across his own ideas on best practices as well as making sure everyone understood that coaching is not all about following someone else’s philosophy but also creating your own ideas through experience and knowledge sharing.

“Session planning should be kept simple,” noted Blake. “You don’t want to give an overload of information to the players or cause confusion. I use the rule of 3, where I only plan for 3 practices within a session, 3 coaching points per practice and 3 progressions per practice.”

Blake also pointed out that coaches need to be consistent, have trust in the programmes they put together and stick to plans and include all players in the sessions with some built in flexibility in case things do not quite according to plan.

“Coach education is of paramount importance if we are to develop our football provision on the island. To have the best possible football we need to have the best possible coaches and to achieve that the BVIFA is offering lots of opportunities and support for local coaches to continue to develop and improve,” commented Dan Neville the BVIFA Technical Director.

Recently the BVIFA partnered with the H Lavity Stoutt Community College as well as the International Soccer Science and Performance Federation (ISSPF) to assist in providing resources and online courses to further develop the knowledge of coaches and the signs are already very encouraging as the standards of play across youth, women and men are on the rise.

The players’ side is not being ignored as the BVIFA is also putting on webinars that benefit that side of the game, including establishing clear player pathways, definitive understanding of roles, clear and precise tactical responsibilities by position, the importance of nutrition and the benefits behind a good night’s sleep!

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, Jason Blake

Islanders reclaim title to BVIFA President’s Cup

January 26, 2021 by Admin

The Islanders beat Sugar Boys 2-0 to win the BVIFA President’s Cup and reclaim their title. *Photo: BVIFA*

The Islanders FC completed a Domestic Double on Sunday 24th January 2021, when they slid past arch rivals, Sugar Boys FC, 2-0, to lift the BVI Football Association’s President’s Cup at the National Stadium venue in East End / Long Look.

Usually when these two sides meet, the game is tense and tightly contested with this final no different as each team probed for the breakthrough against resolute defenses and tough tackling midfields.

The longer a game goes on though – when you are playing the habitual champion side and you are not able to gain advantage through goal scoring – the more likely, history has shown, the Islanders are to wear you down and snaffle a victory.

And this is exactly how it went on Sunday as a game that was in deadlock until the 74th minute was suddenly blown wide open by Rohan Lenon.

Karu Charles broke down the right-hand side, evaded two challenges and played the perfect ball into the path of Lenon, who made no mistake shooting home with power and accuracy. The destiny of the Cup was sealed when Lenon was quickest to react to a Montgomery Butler goal kick in the 81st minute, dribbling around the last defender and wrapping up victory with a thumping strike.

“The game was a great advertisement for the quality of football now being played,” noted BVIFA President Mr. Andy Bickerton. “A good crowd enjoyed a very tight game which was decided by the introduction of Islanders’ veteran striker “Chi-Chi” Leonard with 2 opportunist goals in 5 minutes. Both teams should be congratulated a fitting finale to the season.”

“It was great to win, regain the trophy from the Sugar Boys and show them that we are the real Champions,” commented Islanders’ Captain, Ranalie Cains.

In 2017, The Sugar Boys had beaten the Islanders, 1-0 in the final and in 2018 the Sugar Boys knocked the Islanders out in the semifinal, 5-1, before going on to beat Wolues FC 5-2 in the Final

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, Islanders FC

Panthers top BVIFA U13 League with One Caribbean leading the U17s

January 21, 2021 by Admin

U17s Old Madrid v VG Utd BVIFA Youth League. *Photo: BVIFA*

Goals galore highlighted the BVI Football Association’s U13 and U17 Youth Leagues on Saturday and Sunday, January 16th and 17th with no fewer than 43 goals scored across the 5 games that took place at the East End / Long Look venue.

Action got underway in the U13’s with the Sugar Boys FC overcoming Old Madrid FC 7-2 courtesy of a hat trick from Shau’mauri Lennard (6th, 30th and 43rd minutes), a brace from Kyle Farrington (9th and 29th) and one apiece from Liam Munn (3rd) and Kenroy Williams (50th).

David Chinnery and Malik LaTouche scored for Old Madrid.

Also, in U13 action the Wolues FC reached double digits in a 10-1 hammering of VG Utd with both Charlie Potgeiter (15th, 24th and 57th) and Oakley Hodges (6th, 44th and 53rd) scoring hat tricks. Blake Kirk netted a brace (25th and 48th), whilst Sofia Preddy (21st) and Giada Palladino (30th) were also on the scoresheet.

Qu’yle Billingy scored what turned out to be a consolation goal for VG in the 23rd minute.

The Panthers FC rounded out the U13 games beating One Caribbean FC 7-1, with a rush of first half goals putting them 4 goals up inside the first 21 minutes. Myles Penn grabbed two of those on his way to a hat trick (3rd, 9th and 32nd), an own goal bonus came their way in the 18th minute, Christian Vanterpool scored twice (21st and 57th) and Jaheim Bijai rounded things off in the 50th minute.

Devonte Smith found the back of the net for One Caribbean.

The Panthers’ win was enough to keep them on top of the standings, ahead of the Wolues albeit on goal difference with both teams on 9 points. In third are the Sugar Boys on 6 points.

In the U17 League, One Caribbean managed to bring some relief to the Club, running out 6-1 victors against One Love FC.

“We had a game plan to come out and score as many goals as we could, and we did that as well as missing several other chances to add to the score line,” commented Coach Morris Mark.

Dylan Cline and Johari Lacey both scored a brace. There was a goal right from the restart of the second half for Chad Fearon and Tai Thomas also scored for One Caribbean, whilst Jalen Prentice netted for One Love.

And to bring a hectic weekend to a close, VG Utd had a resounding 8-0 win against Old Madrid.

“Definitely a good restart after the break,” noted VG’s Manager, Jermain Abrams. “We were just a little bit sharper than them and had good ball movement. Lewis Munn was impressive scoring a hat trick, but skipper, Jaden Abrams also led the defense well.”

Munn scored his goals in the 10th, 32nd and 38th minutes, Abrams and Samuel Gilford also found the back of the net in the first half, whilst Mekyle Williams, Cedric Mars and Levon Williams all scored in the second half of a dominant display.

One Caribbean are top of the standings with 9 points but have played one game more than VG Utd who are second on 6 points just ahead of the Wolues, who also have 6 points, on goal difference.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, BVIFA Youth League

Wolues beat Panthers to stay in the lead in BVIFA Women’s Futsal League

January 20, 2021 by Admin

Tola Broderick scored a hat trick for the Wolues FC in the 8 -0 win over the Panthers FC in the BVIFA Women’s Futsal League Game on January 16, 2021
*Photo: BVIFA*

The Wolues FC welcomed back head coach John Reilly with a resounding 8-0 victory against the Panthers FC as the BVI Football Association’s Women’s Futsal League continued at Cedar School on Saturday 16th January 2021.

Having not played a league match in over a month, and with Coach Reilly pitch side for the first time, the girls were keen to set the tone early in the game and leave no doubt who the league leaders were.

Passing the ball around with confidence the Wolues created all the early chances and it was Gabi Jermyn who opened the scoring, firing home at the back post from a Darci Reich cross.

The Panthers though looked to hit back straight away, and it took the cat-like reflexes of Tinia Van Zoost to keep the lead intact before the Wolues were able to put the game to bed with some silky passing moves.

Tola Broderick took full advantage of some great build up play, often inspired by Ariel Mohammed, to claim her first hat trick for the club and further goals came from Reich (2), Jermyn with her second of the game and Zolita Bamford as the Wolues dominated.

“It feels amazing to be part of a team that has put so much effort into getting to the level we are at now,” commented Broderick. “We have trained together for years waiting to put our hard work into match situations and I’m proud of our progress. Having scored a hat trick is merely a bonus!”

“Each of the goals was a result of great buildup of play with wonderful final passes that has become a bit of a trademark for the Wolues Ladies’ team,” noted assistant coach, Walter Reich.

Islanders FC to play Sugar Boys in Presidents Cup Final Meanwhile, in Men’s football, the Sugar Boys FC and the Islanders FC will meet in the final of the BVIFA President’s cup after both secured comfortable wins in the “Clash of the Big 4” semifinals.

De Andre Rogers, Ranalie Cains, from the penalty spot and Kevin Fisher- Daniel scored the goals for the Islanders in their 3-1 win against the Panthers FC, for whom Timothy Louisnel scored a late consolation.

“The win was a good one for us,” said Cains. “We got knocked out in the first round of the last President’s Cup, but we played a good game, and I knew a win would be the result.”

The Sugar Boys went ahead in the second half against the Wolues FC through Derrol Redhead and made sure of reaching next Saturday’s final when Jorge Gonzalez made it 2-0 in the dyeing moments.

The match will be played on Sunday, January 24th at the BVIFA’s East End / Long Look venue with a 4pm kick off.