Islanders F.C. win 2017 Terry Evans Cup

July 24, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

Islanders F.C. win Terry Evans Cup 2017. Photo: BVIFA

In front of a packed crowd at the A.O. Shirley Ground, the Islanders F.C. romped to a convincing and comfortable, 3-1, victory over the Sugar Boys to win the Terry Evans Cup, on Sunday, July 23  2017.

The opening exchanges were the cut and thrust of true cup final legend, but once Ranalie Caines had scored a sublime goal direct from a free kick 25 yards out, the Islanders began to control the game against the VG based opponents who were, admittedly, missing a couple of key players.

It was still anyone’s game at just 1-0, but early in the second period, Kevin Fahie got the better of Derol Redhead, playing in the back four for Sugar Boys, and fired home to make it 2-0.

McTair James nodded in a third for the Islanders before Terry Nanton scored a late consolation penalty to make the final score 3-1

“The Sugar played a good game, but we stuck to our game plans and held our composure and it paid off,” noted Captain of the Islanders, Andy Davis. “(Ranalie) Cains has never been shy about taking free kicks and luckily for us, he scored and we were able to dominate from there. We are a champion team and that is what our fans expect us to do!”

Derol Redhead of the Sugar Boys commented that the game had been a typical tough-tackling, hard running encounter, but rued the fact some key players had been unavailable. “The players put out their best and, up until the free kick, we were in the game despite not being able to field our first choice team or having much on the bench.”

 

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Champion Sport Soccer Camp ends in success

July 10, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

Participants in the BVIFA youth Champion Sport Soccer Camp at East End/Long Look. Photo: BVIFA

The new pitch at the BVIFA’s East End/Long Look Stadium site was heralded as good as anything that the coaches from Champion Sports International had seen, when the closing ceremony of a week-long camp took place on Friday, July 7.

Nearly 100 boys and girls had taken part in the camp, the first in a projected long-term partnership with the England based company that has ties with many professional clubs and a proven track record in getting players on pathways to careers in the game.

Dan Neville, one of the visiting coaches was very impressed with what he had seen. “The pitch is amazing,” he said. “When you use grass it wears out, but this artificial surface has made things perfect. The youngsters too showed great attitude, the willingness to try new things and the commitment. Even at the end of the long hot days they are still raring to go. They have been great to coach.”

Going forward, Neville foresaw a great partnership with teams coming out to the BVI and players from here traveling to England for further coaching and even the chance of being “spotted” by scouts from clubs.

BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton was also very impressed with the ways things had gone. “It has been tremendous to see so many youngsters coming out every day and it has been a wonderful opportunity for them. The attitude has been very positive and if we can maintain this and build upon the achievements then the player pathway to senior levels will be there,” he said.

Bickerton also noted that the coaches from England had said there had been a tremendous improvement in the technique of the boys and girls. “Now we have this facility and youngsters have a good surface to play on, and we maintain our programmes then, although we have a way to go to catch up with other countries, the future will be bright.”

At the end of the presentation of certificates, the visiting coaches, Neville and the BVIFA coaches, Thomas Albert, Marcos Falopa and Richie Morton chose their Players of the Week who each received a pack of “Laceys”- a new product designed to help keep boot laces in place.

The winners were Tola Broderick, Luka Chalwell, Guillaume Parkins and Miquel Marshall.

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VG United through to Quarter Finals of 2017 Terry Evans Cup

July 7, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

VG United stunned Old Madrid with first a late equalizer and then a penalty shoot-out victory on Wednesday 6th July 2017, to reach a Terry Evans Cup quarter final against either the Rebels or One Love.

Kenmore Peters had given Old Madrid a 17th minute lead, ahead of their trip to St Maarten to participate in a Masters Tournament and it seemed for all the money in the world, the goal would see them safely past VG.

However, in added time at the end of the game, Charles Frederick popped to level the game and send it to the drama of a penalty shoot-out.

Diego Jimenez then made two excellent saves as VG won 4-3 to progress.

“Their keeper kept them in the game and was their hero on the nigh,” said Old Madrid Player / Manager, Kenrick Grant. “He made some important [moves] during the game to keep VG hopes alive and then, in the shoot-out, made two great saves to keep his team in the competition with the win.”

In other games, the Islanders beat One Love, 1-0, thanks to strike from National League Golden Boot, Kevin Fisher, who came off the bench to seal progress for his team into a semifinal clash with the Sugar Boys.

“We made the right changes in the second half and scored the goal that mattered. What you put into training comes out in the game and I knew where I wanted to place the ball, near post and left the keeper on his knees.” commented Fisher.

The Rebels beat F.C. Sea Argo 9-1, to keep their hopes alive and will next take on One Love for the right to face VG in that quarter final.

Both games will take place at the A. O. Shirley Grounds on Sunday, July 9 with the Rebels against One Love at 5.00pm and then the Islanders taking on Sugar Boys at 7.00pm.

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One Love F.C., Sugar Boys and Islanders win matches in Terry Evans Cup

June 20, 2017 by

By BVI Foootball Association

Julian Davidson fires home the winner for the Islanders against the Panthers. Photo: BVIFA

All the Joy and misery of cup football was on show at the A.O. Shirley Ground on Sunday 18th June 2017, when the Wolues lost a penalty shoot-out, 4-2, to One Love F.C. in the Terry Evans Cup.

Christopher Farmer had given the Wolues the lead in the first half with a stooping clinical header and then stayed ahead, through a string of fine saves from Andre Gaymes and once or twice the woodwork, until the 95th minute.

Richard Morgan, who despite being hampered by an injury and unable to be replaced from the bench, latched onto a ball over the top, flicked it past Gaymes with his head and guided in the equalizer.

The Penalty shoot-out was all One Love as they kept their calm and were able to rejoice.

“I must commend the Wolues keeper,” commented One Love Coach, Marc Savage. “We had numerous chances, but Gaymes made some great saves and the Wolues played really well. The penalties were nerve wracking and no one likes a game to come down to that, but of course we are happy to have come out victorious.”

It’s not all over for the Wolues though as the Cup format is double elimination and they now await the loser of the game between Old Madrid and Sugar Boys.

The Sugar Boys started the Cup season on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over the Rebels.

The game was settled in the second half when Derol Redhead rose unmarked by the penalty spot to head home a corner from Allon Williams past Maxcell Dabreo.

The Rebels were unable to create much in the way of clear cut chances to equalise, but in the dying seconds Atebe Creese miscued an attempted volley from 10 yards out, which on another day could have and probably should have sent the game to Penalties.

Redhead thought his team deserved the win “we had control of the game although weren’t at a 100 per cent, as we progress we will get better and are confident of reaching the final.”

On his goal, Redhead noted it was a near perfect cross and he timed his header just as perfectly to send the ball crashing into the net.

The other completed fixture saw the Islanders defeat the Panthers on a free kick from Julian Davidson.

“The Panthers were very competitive and surprised us. However, we have a lot of experienced players and withstood their pressure well. My goal was a bit lucky and probably a mistake from their keeper, but it crossed the line and a goal is a goal.”

Next weekend VG Utd take on F.C. Sea Argo on Saturday, whilst on Sunday Old Madrid play the Sugar Boys and the Rebels play the Panthers.

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BVI U15 National Boys’ Football team returns from Sint Martin with Fair Play Award

June 7, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

BVI U15 National Boys team return from Sint Martin’s Soualiga Championship with Fair Play Award. Photo: BVIFA

Coming home on Sunday, June 5, 2017 from the inaugural Soualiga Championship hosted by the Sint Martin Football Association, the U15 National Team brought the Fair Play Award with them.

Starting play with a match against Barbados, the BVI team lost 6-0 to a much stronger, more physical and experienced team.

“We started a little nervous, let Barbados control the early stages and take the lead,” commented BVIFA Technical Director, Marcos Falopa, who oversaw the team along with Assistant Coach, Richie Morton. “Despite the early setbacks the team grew a little in confidence after half time and created some chances with an attractive style of play, keeping the ball on the ground.”

The Barbados game had begun at 8.45pm and the boys had to be back on the field at 11.30am the next day for a game against Union Sportif Marinoise from Martinique. The boys showed little sign of fatigue as they recorded a 1-1 draw, thanks to a swirling, curling goal from Luca Reich in the first half.

“I was shouting for him to curl the ball towards goal,” commented Falopa. “And it worked brilliantly!”

The boys controlled almost the entire game, keeping the ball on the ground with some quick passing and could have doubled the lead in the second half with what seemed an obvious penalty, when the linesman changed the referee’s mind.

The game against Guyana was like the game against Barbados in as much as the boys found themselves outmatched by some physical and skillful players and suffered a 5-0 defeat.

“We tried to control things and attack on the break,” said Falopa. “But they scored three goals in the first half and two in the second. We did look like getting on the score sheet in the second half, but their defense was strong and well organized.”

The final game of group play was against Stade Lamentinos from Guadeloupe and ended 3-0.

“Again, we had our chances, but in truth they were much better than us in their teamwork and determination to win,” concluded Falopa.

In the Medal rounds, the team took on Anguilla and came out 2-0 winners on goals from a free kick by Miquel Marshall in the first half and then Guillaume Parkins in the second half.

“The team played with much more confidence and improved technically and tactically against the more evenly matched Anguillan outfit. We also made some changes to the line-up and everything worked out well, with the players adapting and accepting new roles.”

Overall, Guyana were Champions, Sint Martin the runners up and Barbados placed third.

The BVI were awarded the Fair Play Trophy and Falopa was pleased with the way the team showed signs of improvement during the competition. “We came home with some valuable lessons and we will now have to look at how we best prepare for future tournaments. We need to be more professional, more disciplined and get more exposure against better opposition in order to be more competitive.”

Next up for the boys will be the CONCACAF U15 Tournament in Florida in August.

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BVIFA National U15 Boys’ team ready for St Maarten

May 26, 2017 by

By the BVI Football Association

The BVIFA National U15 Boys’ team will participate in the inaugural Soualiga Championship, St Maarten from June 2-4, 2017. Photo: BVIFA

The BVIFA National U15 Boys’ team has been hard at training at least three times a week, including playing practice matches against senior opposition and is now ready to depart for St Maarten next week to participate in the inaugural Soualiga Championship.

Teams also taking part include Anguilla, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Barbados, Dominica, Martinique and the USVI.

The full squad includes: Ikyjah Williams, Giovanni Grant, Jalen Prentice, Jhamal Prentice, Guillaume Parkins, Alejandro Santos, Shamoi Dore, Marcus Butler, Miquel Marshall, Justin Smith, Sheldon Harry, Luca Reich, Mekhi Walters, Luka Chalwell, Jerell Frederick and Kahil Farrington.

The BVIFA Technical Director, Marcos Falopa, has been in charge of the training along with Assistant Coach, Richie Morton and so far, has been happy with the progress of the squad and is quietly confidant.

“Our target at the Tournament is to see how the Boys will take the training into competitive match situations and show how much they have learned. We will be looking for technical and tactical improvements from the team and, of course, have to decide what system works best for the BVI. We will let the boys play to their own style and comfort on the ball, but also try to play in spaces and develop their team work.”

Falopa stops short of how far the team will reach at the tournament, but is very keen to see improvements in all aspects. “If just one or two players show they are learning new things and put them into practice, then we are on the right path.” he said.

The tournament which runs from June 2-4, 2017, is hosted by the St Maarten Football Association and will be followed by the CONCACAF U15 Championship in August 2017 at the IMG Academy in Florida.

“Another important reason to put in a good performance is that we will be heading off to Florida to compete against the best from our region, so St Maarten will be the ideal preparation for our boys,” said Falopa.

The tournament, which will take place from August 13-19, is expected to include a record number of youth players from CONCACAF’s member associations in a competition format designed to provide valuable experience. All 40 eligible CONCACAF member associations are expected to participate.

IMG Academy sits on more than 550 acres and features more than 20 multi-sport fields, 50 tennis courts, a 5,000-seat state-of-the-art stadium, two 10,000+ square foot weight rooms and residential halls and accommodations for athletes and guests. The IMG campus provides an ideal all-around environment for CONCACAF’s under-15 teams to train and perform.

In addition to providing a world-class venue, IMG Academy will also offer training and development programming for the athletes, coaches and referees. Programming could include coaching education, athlete leadership development, referee development and cognitive and visual perception training.

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20+ attend BVIFA Level II coaching course

May 1, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

Marcos Falopa, BVIFA Technical Director presented Level 11 Football Coaching Course to over 20 attendees. Photo: BVIFA

Over 20 coaches attended the first of a series of three sessions of the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) Level II Coaching Course, presented by Technical Director, Marcos Falopa, at the BVIFA head office.

The course is designed to improve on both the communication with, and education of all the BVIFA’s Coaches and enhance the pathway into further qualifications for those keen to give back to the game.

To launch the programme, which runs every Wednesday both in the classroom and on the soccer pitch, BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton asked those present to utilize Falopa’s experience and be ready to put back into the game.  “We are in problems right now, especially in the primary schools as we don’t have enough coaches,” said Bickerton. “Those we do have are spread too thin and we are losing the quality of our programmes. So, what’s been happening is that we have been running courses for people who haven’t given back, so what I would like to emphasize is that we really need you to stay involved.”

The BVIFA pays coaches to work in the schools’ football programme.

The programmes that the BVIFA wants more and more coaches for is grassroots football in the schools which are open to any boy or girl of any ability to learn the game.

“What we are doing is looking to provide the community with a means to put their kids into programmes and keep them off the streets and out of trouble, so please come back and contribute,” Bickerton urged.

Marcos Falopa also welcomed the attendees and laid the foundation for the course, which is split over three Wednesdays to include theory such as the Principles of Coaching, Technique, Planning, Small-sided games, Warm Up’s and Tactical Games.

“I’m here for the challenge and very pleased to see how many coaches registered for the Level II Course. You will all learn something over the duration, no one knows everything and even if you only learn ten per cent then the course will be successful,” said Falopa.

Falopa also went to explain the methodology of coaching, the importance of coaching education, the establishment of grassroots programmes and how everything fits together to improve football in schools and the performances of national teams.

The sessions continue this Wednesday 3rd May at 4.30pm at the BVIFA office.

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BVIFA appoints Juliana Luke as new General Secretary

April 11, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

BVI Football Association appointed Mrs. Juliana Luke as new General Secretary. Photo: BVIFA

BVI Football Association appointed Mrs. Juliana Luke as new General Secretary. Photo: BVIFA

As of Monday, 3rd April 2017, the BVI Football Association confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Juliana Luke as the new General Secretary, following the successful interim term of Mr. Paul Hewlett.

Hewlett came into the Association and added new dimensions of professionalism and organisation within his 12-month contract to the BVIFA office and all the while Mrs. Luke was assisting him, learning the ropes, adding her own authority and character to one of the toughest jobs in sport and coming up with systems that will allow the sport to develop and grow.

Mrs. Luke becomes one of only a handful of general secretarys among FIFA members worldwide and has already begun to ensure the local association is run smoothly and efficiently.

BVIFA president, Andy Bickerton was full of praise for the outgoing Hewlett and also looking forward to the new era saying “we were fortunate to have the benefit of Mr. Hewlett’s experience and expertise to upgrade the BVIFA’s administration. We are confident that Mrs. Luke will continue his work as we strive for excellence in the future.”

Mrs. Luke began her interest in Football, over 10 years ago, watching kids play the game whilst a teacher at Little Rainbow Primary School over on Virgin Gorda.

Mrs. Luke then got more and more involved in helping to organize the sport, as she was actively involved in various committees including the Virgin Gorda League, the BVIFA Youth Committee and the BVIFA Women’s Committee.

Her secretarial, organizational skills and ability to interact with people across the communities and territory proved excellent and the BVIFA soon began to acknowledge that her commitment to enhancing the game was invaluable.

When Paul Hewlett took over to hold the reigns, Mrs. Luke was the obvious choice to appoint as the assistant and over the past eight months has more than proven she is ready to take over the sports top job.

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Football coach training sessions set for end of April

April 5, 2017 by

By BVI Football Association

New BVIFA Technical Director, Marcos Falopa recently attended the FLOW Ultimate Football Challenge on the A.O. Shirley Ground and got to witness some of the talent he is now working with in preparation for upcoming U15 tournaments. Photo: BVIFA

New BVIFA Technical Director, Marcos Falopa recently attended the FLOW Ultimate Football Challenge on the A.O. Shirley Ground and got to witness some of the talent he is now working with in preparation for upcoming U15 tournaments. Photo: BVIFA

New BVIFA Technical Director, Marcos Falopa has been hard at work both on and off the field in his short time with the Association, planning coaching events and training the U15 Boys’ team.

Falopa first met the young boys as part of the delegation that went to Puerto Rico for the GPS Tournament back in January and has since been hard at work with them in preparation for tournaments in St Maarten and the CONCACAF U15 Championship to be held in Florida.

Falopa believes “that it is important to develop and have success from the grassroots levels up to senior teams” and hopes to get the boys to play the ball on the ground like all top teams.

“The boys need to have better exposure in all aspects of the game from technical fundamentals to tactical awareness,” said Falopa. “But we also need to get the coaches better too.”

Getting around in a car provided in a joint deal between the BVIFA and VI Motors of Duffs Bottom, Falopa has visited many schools to hold sessions and has also spoken to many of the coaches involved in schools and after school club coaching.

Following a well-attended grassroots coaching seminar, which is the first step in the BVIFA’s new coaching programme, Falopa will be hosting stage 2 at the end of April, which is a 3-day course featuring both theory and practical excercises.

The course begins April 26 and will be run from 4.30pm until 6.30pm on consecutive Wednesdays until May 10.

Prospective coaches can contact the BVIFA office on 494 5655 for more information and to enroll.

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Cedar and Althea Scatliffe PS are BDO Primary School Champions

March 27, 2017 by

By BVIFA

Cedar Green beat Begrado Flax Educational Centre, 1-0, in the U12's to take BDO Primary School Championship. Photo: BVIFA

Cedar Green beat Begrado Flax Educational Centre, 1-0, in the U12’s to take BDO Primary School Championship. Photo: BVIFA

All the Age Group BDO Primary Schools Finals on Wednesday, 22nd March, 2017, were fiercely competitive between teams of equal skill and discipline with a shared will to win, whilst showing great sportsmanship despite the final outcome.

Of course, there can only be one winner and in the U7’s, which got off to a great start in front of a large crowd in the Grandstand at the A.O. Shirley Ground, Cedar Green eventually won 3-1 on penalties against Montessori, after the game had remained deadlocked at 0-0 until the final whistle.

The U9 encounter between Althea Scatliffe and Robinson O’Neal proved equally exciting with end-to-end action highlighting a game that was eventually decided by the predatory instincts of Latriel Williams.

A bouncing ball was only half dealt with by the defense allowing Williams to slip in between two defenders and volley home past the goal keeper.

In the U12’s an acrobatic Nicky Haycraft goal in the second half proved to be the only goal of the game in Cedar’s 1-0 win over Begrado Flax.

The MVP’s for each Final were named as Ethan Mohammed for Cedar Green in the U7’s, Latriel Williams for ASPS in the U9’s and Haycraft of Cedar School in the U12’s.

Golden Glove recipients were Steven Portus (Enid Scatliffe – U7), Akeem Paddy (ASPS – U9) and Ollie Henderson (Cedar Sch. -U12).

The Golden Boot honorees were Sam Potgeiter (Montesorri, 24 – U7), Jaden Quashie (Robinson O’Neal, 18 – U9) and Azarni Callwood (Cedar School, 15 – U12).

The Overall League MVP’s were Charlie Potgeiter (Montesorri – U7), Quashie (U9) and Ryan Lettsome (Cedar School, – U12).

In addition to all the Primary School trophies, the BVIFA High School champions also received their awards with Jakisha Rigobert (BFEC) named as Girls’ MVP, Kaylah Skelton (BFEC), and Lilly Pierce (Cedar) jointly as Golden Boots (10 each) and Davian Williams as Golden Gloves.

BFEC were also crowned as League Champions.

In the Open High School Boys, BFEC added the League Championship trophy to the Avanell “Clarky” Morton Cup and also saw Diego Jimenez (BFEC) named as MVP as well as Golden Gloves, whilst Chadwick Evans (ESHS), took home the Golden Boots trophy

In the U14 Tournament, ESHS were declared Champions and along with the trophy, were also presented with the President’s Cup, which they won as part of Opening Day celebrations, back in October 2016.

Golden Boot was Jahdique Winchester (BFEC), MVP, Sheldon Harry (ESHS) and Golden Glove Glenford Prentice (ESHS).

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