Sugar Boys are BVIFA Festival Cup Champs!

August 7, 2020 by
The Sugar Boys F.C. were crowned as BVIFA Festival Cup Champions on August 4, 2020

The Sugar Boys F.C. were crowned as BVIFA Festival Cup Champions on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 after MVP, Derol Redhead scored a winner late in the first half of a 2 – 1 defeat of Lion Heart F.C. at the East End / Long Look National Stadium venue.

Although the newcomers, Lion Heat, were playing in their first ever final, they matched the Sugar Boys from Virgin Gorda virtually kick for kick and the two sides were inseparable after Sheldon Brown equalized for Lion Heart in the thirteenth minute, following Terrence Nanton’s tenth minute opener.

However you can never discount the effect Redhead can have on a game and – not for the first time – he popped up big when it mattered most and netted the go ahead goal and what proved to be the winner.

“It means a lot,” said Redhead, whose goal also earned him a share of the Golden Boot Trophy along with team mate Norman Hernandez.

The second half saw no further goals and Lion Heart skipper Dwayne Smith was left to rue not putting the Sugar Boys under more pressure, paying too much respect early, losing the midfield battle and ultimately the game.

BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton presented the awards, which apart from the Trophy and a winner’s check for 4000 dollars to the Sugar Boys, also included a Runners Up check for 2,000 dollars to Lion Heart. The Fair Play Trophy was claimed by the Sugar Boys and the Golden Glove Trophy, which went to Lindell Williams.

The Sugar Boys claimed their spot in the last four following a 4 – 1 win against Old Madrid F.C. courtesy of a hat trick from Derol Redhead (26’, 36’, 79’) and Akeem Hendrickson, who scored in the eightieth minute. Fitzroy Daley netted for Old Madrid.

Their opponents in the last four, One Love, had a much sterner test to come through as VG United took them all the way to a penalty shoot-out, after the match ended 1 – 1. However, Mauricio Guevara Villanueva held his nerve to fire his team into the semi, scoring the decisive penalty in a 3 – 2 win.

Lion Heart found themselves 1 – 0 down to the Wolues, but Shevaughn Thomas equalized in the forty fifth minute, before adding a second to put Lion Heart on the way to the last four and the win was confirmed as Oshane Ingram made it 3 – 1 at the death.

A brace of goals by Jean Charles Jnr. either side of a strike by Julian Davidson was enough for One Caribbean to secure their place, beating The Rebels F.C 2 – 1.

The first semi was scheduled for the National Stadium venue at East End / Long Look between the Sugar Boys and One Love at 4pm, whilst semi final number 2 featuring One Caribbean and Lion Heart was on the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground at 6pm.

  • Derol Redhead (Sugar Boys) shares in Golden Boot Trophy
  • Lindell Williams (Sugar Boys) receives Golden Glove Trophy at BVIFA Festival Cup
Filed Under: Football Tagged With: , , ,

Pure Trouble comes out top in BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup

August 7, 2020 by
Pure Trouble, captained by Tinia Van-Zoost, came out on top of the points table after winning all three games in the BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup held at the East End / Long Look Stadium, Tortola on August 2, 2020.

The BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup was staged at the East End / Long Look Stadium on Sunday, August 2 with four teams participating in a round robin tournament.

Pure Trouble, captained by Tinia Van-Zoost, came out on top of the points table after winning all three games, with 9 points. Fire, captained by Ariel Mohamed, was second with 6 points. Purple Rain , captained by Joi-Ann Thomas, came third with 3 points and Pink Panthers placed fourth.

Individual awards went to Decima Lambert as Best Goalkeeper, Chelsea Edwards for Best Young Player, Casandra Gregg as Golden Lady, Shevonne Vanterpool as Golden Boot and Van Zoost as MVP.

Recently re-appointed BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton was on hand to present the trophies and was pleased with the turn out and complimented all those involved: “It was an excellent start to the revitalization of Women’s Football in the BVI. Coaches Anna French and Wayne Phillip are to be congratulated on the high level of technical ability displayed by all of the women.”

In the first match, Purple Rain defeated Fire 1 – 0 in a penalty shootout, with Mohamed the lone scorer, whilst in the next game Pure Trouble defeated Pink Panthers 3 – 2, also, in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 1 – 1 tie. Vanterpool scored for Pure Trouble and French equalized for the Pink Panthers in regulation time before Vanterpool, Van-Zoost, and Morgan Creque all converted their penalties to give Pure Trouble the win. 

Purple Rain got their second win by defeating Pink Panthers 2 – 0 with Jacintha Weeks and Darci Reich on the scoresheet. Pure Trouble then defeated Fire 1 – 0 with Vanterpool scoring again. In the penultimate game, Pure Trouble kept their undefeated record intact when Kiara Woodley scored a late equalizer against Purple Rain, who had gone ahead through Kara Lewis. However, the momentum turned in the favour of Pure Trouble who went on to capture the win in the ensuing penalty shootout 2 – 1. 

The last match of the day saw Fire and Pink Panthers play to a 1 – 1 draw with goals from Murcella Gordon and French. 

  • Chelsea Edwards, Best Young Player, BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup
  • Shevonne Vanterpool wins Golden Boot, BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup
  • Tinia Van Zoost wins MVP of BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup
  • Decima Lambert wins Best Goal Keeper, BVIFA Women’s Festival Cup
Filed Under: Football Tagged With: ,

BVIFA plans a weekend of Football Festivals

July 30, 2020 by

The BVIFA is promising an August holiday weekend full of football, Festival Style, at its National Stadium venue in East End / Long Look from August 1 – 4, 2020.

Although the Men’s Festival Cup kicks the action off on Saturday, August 1, full attention will be on the Women’s Festival Cup, scheduled for Sunday, August 2, as newly appointed Head Coaches, Wayne Phillips and Anna French look to revitalize and showcase women’s football within the BVI.

According to French, “the goal of the event is to revitalize and showcase women’s football within the BVI, identify and recruit talented players for the national program, and boost excitement for the upcoming women’s club competition.”

The Women’s Festival Cup will be run as a one-day round robin-style five-a-side tournament featuring 4 teams that will be drafted by national coaches on the morning of the event. Check-in and warmups will begin from 11:30 am with the first matches kicking off at 1pm. Round-robin games of 20 minutes (10 minutes each half) will be played throughout the day and the final match kick-off is at 3:30.

Players of all skill levels are highly encouraged to attend and participate. Supporters are welcomed but please note that social distancing measures will be enforced.

Lorrelle Walters-Abrams is the BVIFA Executive Member responsible for Women’s football and she noted, “one of the BVIFA’s strategic plans is to develop and promote Women’s football in the territory and get the Clubs more actively involved. The importance of Women’s football is not only recognizable, but it can also bring positive change and impact the Territory. Knowing we are a small country in comparison to our Caribbean neighbors, it is important to our well being both physically and mentally. With the support of the BVIFA Executive body and Technical staff along with strong leadership of Technical Director, Dan Neville, we will achieve our goals”

“We are all really looking forward to August 2 when we host the Women’s Festival Cup,” noted Neville. “I’m delighted with the growth of the women’s program over the last 12 months. Wayne and Anna have grown the numbers week-on-week and Lorrelle has played a key part in the program in terms of energy and ideas.”

Neville added that the BVIFA are also in advanced preparations and talks with the National League clubs to get a Women’s National League started in September.

There is also a Men’s Festival Cup over the Bank Holiday weekend, with games scheduled for East End / Long Look as well as Virgin Gorda.

In the first round the Wolues will face Lion Heart, at the National Stadium, East END / Long Look (4pm) whilst over on Virgin Gorda, the Panthers are up against the Rebels at 6pm and then the Islanders take on the Sugar Boys at 8pm.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: ,

BVIOC distributes Panam Sports coach funding to national federations

July 1, 2020 by
BVIOC presents coach hiring funds from Panam Sports to its national federations
BVI National Federations receive coach hiring funds from Panam Sports distributed by the BVIOC

The BVI Olympic Committee distributed cheques totaling $100,000 from Panam Sports to 14 of its member federations on June 26, 2020. The funds are part of Panam Sports’ special project for the hiring of coaches in support of sports development in the Americas.

The 14 national federations which currently are active and which are recipients of the coaching funds include Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Football, Rugby, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Sailing, Softball/Baseball, Squash, Swimming and Volleyball.

“Coaching is a fundamental part of the success of any athlete or team and the development of sports,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC. “The BVIOC applied to receive its allocation of $100,000 from Panam Sports which earmarked the money specifically for the hiring of coaches. The BVIOC and its national federations are very appreciative of the funding which is yet another demonstration of Panam Sports’ continued commitment to supporting the growth and development of sports across its 41 member nations which includes the Virgin Islands.”

The funding for coaches is one of the latest tangible resources Panam Sports has made available to the BVIOC and its member federations. Sports and athletes receive the direct benefits which the BVIOC apply for whether it’s through a donation of training equipment, funds for repairs to facilities – including the replacement of the Mondo track at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds or through development initiatives such as coach training sessions.

Panam Sports is also engaged with all athletes across the continent with its ongoing virtual support sessions featuring professional experts in all aspects of sports both physical and psychological. The virtual sessions were introduced as part of the organizations’ response to the impact of COVID-19 on athletes and their training and competition programmes in the lead up to the now rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

About Panam Sports

The Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) was established on August 8th, 1948 and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the continental Association of the NOCs of the Americas. In 2017 the organization was rebranded as Panam Sports.

Its principal objects are the celebration and conduct of the Pan American Games and the promotion, development and protection of sport, as well as the Olympic Movement, in the Americas through its member NOCs. The current President, Neven Ilic, has held the post since 2017.

National Federations receiving coaching funding from Panam Sports distributed by the BVIOC include – from top left to right – Athletics, Basketball, Rugby, Sailing, Squash, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon and Archery pictured with Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC.
Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, Cycling, Football, Panam Sports, Rugby, Sailing, Softball-Baseball, Squash, Swimming, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball Tagged With: , , ,

Sports Festival celebrating Olympic Day

June 23, 2020 by

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024

  • The BVI Olympic Committee in collaboration with its member National Federations and in partnership with the H Lavity Stoutt College will present its 5th annual free Sports Festival celebrating Olympic Day on Tortola with walks/runs on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada on Saturday, June 22, 2024.The Olympic Day activities are open to the public of all ages and abilities.
  • The occasion will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the VI’s first appearance at the Olympics when the territory was represented by speed skater, Erroll “Canute” Fraser, at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympic Games and by a national team of 4 track & field athletes and 5 sailors at the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympic Games. The athletics team members were Lindel “Chef” Hodge, Guy Hill, Dean Greenaway, Jerry Molyneaux and the sailors were Robin Tattersall, Elvet Meyers, Keith Barker, Peter Barker+ and Keith Thomas. The past Olympians will be recognized on the day.

2024 Sports Festival plans – HLSCC campus grounds and Brandywine Bay beach 9:00am – 12:00pm

  • Interactive stations at the college campus grounds include archery, athletics, basketball, cycling, netball, softball and squash. The BVI Anti-Doping Commission and health and nutrition advisors will also be on site.
  • The Department of Culture will be showcasing an interactive maritime historical display with the Maritime Museum open for visits. The Heritage Dancers will continue to build on their participation with lessons in some of the VI’s traditional dance steps.
  • Additional activities will take place simultaniously at Brandywine Bay Beach with aquatic and marine sports including sailing, swimming, and triathlon stations, alongside beach sports hosted by the volleyball, rugby, and football federations.
Beach games

Walk/Runs on sister islands

  • Walk/runs will take place from 6:30am on Virgin Gorda starting at the VG Recreation Ground and on Anegada starting at the Claudia Creque Educational Centre. On Jost Van Dyke, the walk/run will start at 5:30am from the Albert Chinnery Admin Building, Great Harbour.

The free event encourages the public to move, learn and discover – regardless of age and ability – and find an activity to adopt in their lifestyle for fitness and health.

Olympic Year Celebrations

  • 2024 is an Olympic year where we have two athletes confirmed to compete at Paris 2024 – Kyron McMaster OBE OLY, 400m hurdles 2x Commonwealth Games champion and World Athletics Championship silver medalist and ILCA7 (laser) sailor Thad Lettsome. Chef de Mission Tahesia Harrigan-Scott will be in attendance with updates on the preparations for the Games with VI designer, Kristin Fraser unveiling the Opening Ceremony wear for the BVI team at Paris 2024.

Participants will receive a free tee shirts and Dasani Water and Powerade distributed by Road Town Wholesale on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Thank you for your support!

Check the Event page on Facebook

For more information contact (284) 541 7845 or email sofia@broadswordpr.com

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Anti-Doping Commission, BVI Olympic Committee, Cycling, Football, Milton McLean, Olympic Day, Paris 2024, Rugby, Sailing, Softball-Baseball, Squash, Swimming, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Thad Lettsome, Uncategorized, Volleyball

Hive of activity at 2nd annual Olympic Day Sports Festival

June 25, 2019 by

International Olympic Day was marked on Saturday, June 22nd with the 2nd annual Sports Festival at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds. The morning of interactive events to promote the Olympic Day pillars to move, learn and discover was hosted by the BVI Olympic Committee in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture.

National Federations set up stations around the grounds where they staged demo sessions and invited attendees of the Sports Festival to join in. There was full and enthusiastic uptake in the sports as presented by archery, athletics, basketball, cycling, football, rugby, softball/baseball, taekwondo, tennis and volleyball with children and adults alike trying their hand at something new.

Sailing and squash had information stands featuring the equipment of their sport with each of the coaches respectively encouraging hands-on engagement with the sailing optimist on display and with the rackets and balls. Information on anti-doping and the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation was also available from Doping Control Officers.

“The response from the National Federations this year was exceptional and we could not have hosted such a successful event without their full participation,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC. “The International Olympic Committee had encouraged NOCs to ramp up activities this year to extend beyond the traditional Olympic Day walk/run and to promote the concept of getting active as a way of life regardless of age and ability. I am pleased that the BVIOC was ahead of the curve with this idea as we have been promoting interactive engagement since Olympic Day 2012 when we hosted the event at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. The festival also provides the perfect platform for supporting our Long Term Athlete Development Programme.”

Following welcome remarks by Mr. Roy Barry, 2nd Vice President of the BVIOC and the reading of the Olympic Day Message from the President of the IOC, Mr. Thomas Bach, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, Minister for Education and Culture recognized the major achievements for athletes and teams as provided by some of the National Federations. Certificates of acknowledgement were given for distribution to the named athletes in athletics, football, rugby, sailing, softball/baseball and volleyball.

The Honourable Minister encouraged all athletes to stay the course and to continue to achieve results that they can be proud of.

Olympic Day was also selected as the appropriate occasion to officially announce the four athletes who have qualified to compete at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games from July 26th through August 11th. Naming senior track and field athletes and one sailor, Honourable Neville Smith, 1st Vice President, BVIOC congratulated Chantel Malone (long jump), Kyron McMaster (400m hurdles) and Eldred Henry (shot put) on their outstanding achievements in qualifying meets as well as 17-year old, Thad Lettsome who was awarded a universality place in the men’s laser event. The two sports’ disciplines are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.

On the heels of the announcement, Honourable Wheatley stated that the Ministry of Education and Culture has awarded checks amounting to $24,000 for senior athlete, Kyron McMaster for his gold medal wins at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the 2018 North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC), Championships. Chantel Malone was also named as a recipient of a check for $9,000 for her silver medal win at the 2018 CAC Games.

“The Government has committed to paying our senior athletes for podium finishes at major international competitions,” said Honourable Wheatley. “This award is a ‘thank you’ as well as an incentive to stay committed to putting in the hard work and focus on winning a medal.” He went on to joke that the current roster of athletes was on track to bankrupting the government’s coffers.

At the invitation of Ms. Sabinah Clement, Athlete Representative, BVIOC, 3 athletes stepped forward to share their experiences. A volleyball player since the age of 12, Ms. Sharonda Pickering spoke of her route to becoming one of the best middle players in the sport in the NCAA conference, helping her school to conference and national championships.

Mr. Kenard Dawson who was home for the Summer, explained how he started his baseball career as a young boy playing softball with coach and VISBA President, Terrence Chinnery before going on to become catcher for the team at Georgia Premier Academy High School and earning a 4 Year Scholarship at Grambling State University, Statesboro, Georgia.

Ms. Beyonce Defreitas who just completed her freshman year at University of Central Florida, is a 100m and 200m sprinter and she closed out the opening remarks with a talk through of qualifying for the Commonwealth Youth Games, the Carifta Games and the IAAF World Under 20 Championships and competing at NCAA Division 1 events. Ms. Defreitas encouraged all the young aspiring athletes to follow their dreams and to be strong in their self-belief and confidence in their abilities.

Olympic Day was established in 1948 as an annual occasion where everyone everywhere can get together in their communities, whatever their age, ability or disability, to celebrate the Olympic values of Respect, Excellence and Friendship and also celebrate the Olympic Day pillars: Move. Learn. Discover.

The 2019 Olympic Day Sports Festival was sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dasani water, Powerade and Coca Cola products distributed by Road Town Wholesale Trading Ltd, and MB’s Ice

Click to view the Olympic Day Sports Festival album on FaceBook

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, Caribbean RADO, Cycling, Football, Lima 2019, LTAD, Olympic Day, PanAM Games, Regional Anti-Doping Organization, Rugby, Sailing, Softball-Baseball, Squash, Taekwondo, Tennis, Tokyo 2020, Volleyball Tagged With: , , ,

VI boys’ football teams bring home silver and gold from Caribbean Showcase

January 31, 2019 by

Source: BVI Football Association

The Virgin Islands Boys U13 and U10 Teams respectively won silver and gold in the 4th Global Premier Soccer (GPS) Caribbean Showcase tournament held January 25 – 27, 2019. Photo: BVIFA

The BVI Football Association and their national Boys U10 and Boys U13 football teams have outdone themselves yet again after returning from Puerto Rico with a gold and silver medal respectively in the 4th Global Premier Soccer (GPS) Caribbean Showcase tournament held January 25 – 27, 2019.

GPS hosts on average 44 tournaments each year between various states in the USA and the Caribbean Showcase held in Bayamon was one of their newest additions. It provided the children in Puerto Rico and the neighboring region the opportunity to play against some of the top footballers in the Americas without having to travel too far from home.

The Virgin Islands easily being the smallest participating territory has had its best results to date with a win in the Boys Under 10 category and placing 2nd in the Boys Under 13 category.

The VI U10 Boys – named U10 Rock BVI – first matched up with GPS Guaynabo where they won 2-0.
Rock BVI played GPS Aquadilla and won by 3-0 in the semi- finals and went on to the finals where they obliterated SA United from Massachusetts with a 7-1 hammering, to become the 2019 U10 Boys Champions.

Meanwhile, the U13 Rock BVI Team opened their account with a 1-1 draw against Athletico San Juan, with Adrian Padillo scoring the equalizer.

Game two against GPS Aquadilla ended in a tame 0-0 draw. The final game for the BVI U13 Rock saw them defeat GPS Guaynabo by 3-1. Joel Mars out of Virgin Gorda scored for the BVI while the talented Azarni Callwood found the back of the net twice to ensure the victory.

Coach Dan Neville expressed his delight with the overall success of both teams stating, “this result shows that the attitude and application by both teams during the games and in the build up to the tournament went well for our national teams and is a clear indication of them being able to make the transition as they move on to play at higher levels. Both teams played physical and very attacking football. What we are focusing on now is ensuring that we teach the same style of football at all ages so players get to learn their positions well and are able to make a smooth transition as they move up in age groups.”

President of the BVIFA, Andy Bickerton, was elated with the results saying that he was especially pleased to see the younger teams do well as this fits right into his dream of seeing a truly local VI team with youngsters born and brought up through the BVIFA system, participate and do well at the highest level in football, which of course would include the World Cup.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: ,

BVI Footballer Kristian Javier tries out at S.C.U. Torreenese, Portugal

January 25, 2019 by

BVI National Men’s Football Team player, Kirstian Javier is trying out with Portuguese pro club, S.C.U Torreenese. Photo: BVIFA

Kristian Javier who has successfully represented the BVI in the men’s national football team for over two years, is trying out with Portuguese pro club, Sport Clube União Torreenese.

Javier, who has played a key role in the resurgence of the national men’s team, was spotted during a soccer visa event where a representative of S.C.U. Torreenese invited him in for a week’s trial.

“We are delighted that Kristian has been given this opportunity and feel he fully deserves it. Kristian’s coachability and attitude to learn has been first class since he joined the team,” said Dan Neville, Assistant National Men’s Team Coach. “Kristian has played a big part in the progress we are making in the BVI and has become a key member of the squad. This opportunity demonstrates what can happen if you work hard, listen and perform well. As a spin off we have had lots of interest in some of our other young players, which again comes as no surprise considering the maturity of their performances in recent Internationals. We look forward to tracking Kristian’s progress over the coming months.”

President of the BVI Football Association, Andrew Bickerton was delighted when he received the news of Javier’s selection on a trial basis to Torreenese which is another milestone on the BVI’s journey to breaking through the football ranks on a regional and international level while pushing its way to the ultimate goal of playing in a world cup.

The BVI Football Association over the past few years, and certainly since the passing of Irma, is going from strength to strength with national teams across the board progressing steadily.

With the likes of Azarni Callwood and Ryan Lettsome leading the way in the junior division as they work their way through the junior ranks into the senior division over the next couple years, equal importance is given to ensure senior players also are developing steadily through the ranks regionally on route to the ultimate goal of the BVI qualifying in its own right for the World Cup finals.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: , , ,

Works begin at Greenland Stadium

January 14, 2019 by

The Government of the Virgin Islands in partnership with the BVI Football Association, under the FIFA umbrella, breaks ground in Greenland for the development of a 2,500 seat multi-purpose stadium for recreational and sporting facilities and associated works. Photo: Provided

The Government of the Virgin Islands in partnership with the BVI Football Association, under the FIFA umbrella, has broken ground in Greenland for the development of a 2,500 seat multi-purpose stadium for recreational and sporting facilities and associated works.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Greenland Stadium on Friday, January 11 at 10:00 a.m.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE said, “This sporting facility was conceived a few years ago and it is gratifying to know that we are about to embark on the second phase of this project…Today does much for our morale at this stage of our recovery.”

The Premier added, “This is a partnership of mutual benefit, where the Government of the Virgin Islands leased the crown land for the purpose of developing this facility, and the BVI Football Association, through their alliance with FIFA, will provide the project funding.”

The Government has agreed to lease approximately four (4) acres of crown lands known as the Festival Grounds at East End to the registered company through a Special Purpose Vehicle established in connection with the project and for the purpose of developing and operating the facilities.

The facility is expected to include a six lane, 400 meter grass track; Netball and Volleyball courts; the covering of ghuts on both sides of the stadium and fencing of the stadium; parking lot for 200 cars; and access road between the parking lot and the multi-purpose stadium.

Premier Smith further stated, “With a regulation-sized football field and a 400 meter track, here will be the location of many engaging matches of football, track and other field sports that will provide entertainment to spectators, locally and from abroad, as it will be suitable to host international and regional matches.”

Remarks were also delivered by Deputy Premier, Minister of Natural Resources and Labour and Representative for the Seventh Electoral District, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering; Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn; Minister for Health and Social Development and Representative for the Eighth Electoral District, Honourable Marlon Penn; Manager of STO Enterprises, Mr. Dion Stoutt; and Contractor Representative for Tarris Hill Associates, Ms. Deseree Potter.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: ,

Men’s National Football team executes a game of guts and pride in CONCACAF Nations League Qualifier

October 31, 2018 by

By BVI Football Association

BVI Men’s National Football Team in CONCACAF Qaulifier, Martinique.

The BVI Men’s National Football team had a week to remember in Martinique when they came up against two tough opponents who have historically given them a hard time in the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifier for the Gold Cup.

The BVI team first came up against Suriname Saturday on October 13 and then three days later had to play against a very experienced Martinique team. The Suriname game which started around 4.00pm was played at the Andre Kampervieen stadium while Martinique chose to play their game at their pride and joy, their national football stadium – the Stade Municipal Pierre Aliker multipurpose stadium in Fort-de-France, Martinique.

All scheduled home games for the CONCACAF qualifiers could not be played in the BVI due to the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Irma to the football stadium in Greenland.

The Suriname game proved to be a hard one with the talented Stefano Rijssel finding the back of the net in the 23rd minute of play. The BVI men looked good but conceded another goal score by Brian Eshot 2 minutes before the half.

The BVI played good football in the second half until a left boot shot by Donnegy Fer wrong footed the goalkeeper to make the score 3-0. It was the talented Stefano Rijssel who scored in the 75th minute to make the score 4-0 and then a late goal by Ivenzo Comvalius saw the game end 5-0 in favour of Suriname.

Coach Dan Neville knowing his team had another tough encounter in three days from a better Martinique team did not allow the team to focus on the defeat but rather concentrated on the upcoming game and on making adjustments.

Well after 45 minutes of play, the strategy seemed to have worked as the BVI went into the locker room with a nil-nil score line and disappointed French supporters. Credit for the first half was mainly attributed to Ben Chapman who executed three amazing saves in the first half.

The BVI got out done in the second half by a set play which saw Kevin Parsemain put a free kick over the BVI wall and into the top right corner of the net. The rest of the game saw the BVI team play excellent football and with 80 minutes played the BVI stood at 0-1 down, while a restless Martinique crowd were shouting for goals at their national stadium. The chain was broken in the 83rd minute by Mickae Biron, followed by two back to back goals in extra time by Parsemain and Biron, which could only go down to lack of experience by this young BVI team who seemingly relaxed a little too soon before the final whistle.

Coach Dan Neville praised his team for a game of guts and pride, which were it not for the few lapses in concentration late in the game, could easily have ended at a very respectable 0-1.

Coach Dan has also named an 18-man squad in preparation for their upcoming game to include Ben Chapman, Charles Medway, Josh Bertie, Troy Ceasar, James Drury, Tosh Gallimore, Jamie Wilson, Bailey Rowe, Carlos Septus, Leo Forte, Phillip Jules, Phil Nelson, Trevor Peters, Chris Pease, Christian Zavier, Robbie Green, Jordan Johnson and Tyler Forbes.

The BVI team now move onto Anguilla on Friday 16th November where they will play a home game in the CONCACAF Nations League against Bonaire. Their final qualifier game will be against Turks & Caicus next year March 2019.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: ,
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