Photo courtesy of BVIFA

By BVIFA

The BVI went down 3-0 to Martinique in their first Group 7 game of the Scotiabank Caribbean Cup on Wednesday 23^rd March, 2016 at the Stade Pierre Aliker in Martinique.

Martinique, playing at home, opened the scoring in the 12th minute of play against the British Virgin Islands, when Kevin Parsemain netted. Yuan Aquino made it 2-0 in the 68th minute, while Steven Lange scored Martinique’s third and final goal in the 84th minute.

“Although we lost, we didn’t allow Martinique to play their usual game or run away with things” commented Troy Caesar, “In fact at times we silenced the crowd and even their players were getting frustrated”.

“They were technically good and very fit” stated Asst. Coach John Riley.

“It was tough conceding two late goals” noted Team Manager, Wendell Nichols. “The game was also tough against a very strong team, full of players from France, but now we have to regroup and get ready for Dominica.

The next game, a must win encounter against well known foe in Dominica, is scheduled for Saturday 26^th March, on the A.O. Shirley Grounds at 4pm.

“We are looking good, strong and disciplined” stated Riley.

“We have been coming here for a few years now” commented Dominica’s Coach, Shane Marshall.  “We hope as always to make our fans here happy. The BVI team has changed a lot and these days they send for players from England and elsewhere, but we have a good combination of youth and experience. Our preparation hasn’t been the best, but we are ready to go”.

The last time the teams met was in the World Cup qualifier in 2015, which ended as a 0-0 stalemate and a result that gives the BVI plenty to be positive about in terms of securing all 3 points.

The full squad includes:

Goal Keepers: Daniel Barker, Ben Chapman, Vesquever Frett.

Defenders: Ryan Dicker, Troy Caesar, Karl Espley, Joshua Fines, James Quinn, Gregory James, Vanquever Frett.

Midfielders: Jordon Johnson, Peter Monks, Kristan Javier, Lewis Jones, Gladstone Burke, Christopher Telemaque, Robert Green.

Forwards: Trevor Peters, Allon Williams.

Avondale Williams is the coach, John Riley the Asst. Coach and Sheldon Harry the Physio.

Fans are encouraged to come out early as their will be plenty of excitement pre-match with a “Fan Village”, food, refreshments and of course a chance to grab the best seats in the house.

The game time has been arranged to suit those coming from Virgin Gorda and of course all those who will be heading back to Virgin Gorda to enjoy the Easter Festival Celebrations.

Entrance to the game is just $5 and all Boys and Girls Under 12 get free entry.

Photo provided. Players celebrating better days for football.

The British Virgin Islands Football Association (BVIFA) Competitions Committee has formalized the Calendar for Spring/Summer 2016, with a series of Knockout Cup Tournaments, slated for both the A.O. Shirley Ground and the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground.

The new season actually begins with the Men’s National team facing two games in the first round of the Scotiabank Caribbean Cup, firstly an away fixture against Martinique on the 22^nd March and then a home tie with Dominica on March 26^th at the A.O. Shirley Ground in Road Town.

Domestic football will then take centre stage with the Terry Evans Cup for Men and Women’s teams being staged from the 17^th April and then a one day ”Nations Cup” , held on Virgin Gorda as part of the Whit Monday Holiday Celebrations.

The Wendoll Williams Cup will then be up for grabs with matches for Men and Women held on both Tortola and Virgin Gorda, starting on June 5^th and with a Final scheduled for July 3^rd.

According to Committee Chair, Aubrey Liburd, the spring and early summer will be a fiesta of Football for everyone. “As we look to build back up the sports profile ahead of being able to utilize the new venue in East End, it was important to plan a comprehensive season that will satisfy demand and the needs of our Member Clubs. Apart from the Knockout Cups, we are also supporting a Street Soccer imitative by Road Town Wholesale and will also be hosting a Beach Soccer Tournament as well as a CONCACAF Women’s Day Celebration in late May” he commented.

Mr. Liburd also reminded all Clubs that they must have paid up all BVIFA affiliation fees and submitted Rosters to be considered eligible to participate in what will be a fascinating new season.

“Teams have until close of business on Monday March 21^st to become completely compliant with the FA’s Constitution and Rules” confirmed Liburd. “We have already extended the time frame, but now all teams must take note of the new deadline and submit their payment and relevant documents to the General Secretary of the FA”.

Any Club requiring further information on the requirements of compliance can also contact the FA Office on 494-5655.

Photo courtesy of BVIFA

New General Secretary , Paul Hewlett addressed the next cadre of more than 20 hopeful soccer coaches last Friday, February 5^th, 2016, as the F.A launched its Raising the Standards Campaign ahead of the second Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) “D” License programme.

“Our World Governing Body, FIFA and CONCACAF” commented Hewlett “are moving towards standardizing minimum levels across all Member Associations and their member clubs. So it is of upmost importance that we all understand our roles within such a framework, including the Coaches pathway”.

Becoming a CONCACAF qualified Coach, according to Hewlett not only opens doors on opportunity and further education , but also, as the FA is moving towards only utilizing qualified Coaches, employment in some of their many Youth development and National Programmes.

BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, was also on hand to address the participants, mentioning that as football becomes more and more structured in its approach, investment in young people will begin to reap benefits on the regional and global stage.

“Having more and more qualified coaches will only make players better prepared, play at a higher standard and position them to gain the rewards for hard work” he stated.

The next stage of the CONCACAF “D” License is the First Aid Course, facilitated by the Red Cross which takes place on Saturday 13^th February from 9am until 2pm, at the BVIFA Head Office at the Botanic Station.

It is a half day course and is mandatory for those wishing to gain the “D” License.

Practical and Theory Coaching begins on Thursday February 18^th and runs through until Sunday 21^st when the participants will be tested on what they have learnt over the previous three days, including principles of attack and defense, small sided games, age appropriate training, session planning and technical training and knowledge of the Theory of Coaching.

Photo courtesy of BVIFA

It is with regret that the F.A. has with immediate effect accepted the resignation of Technical Director, Katie Rowson, who has been with the Association for the last 12 months.

Rowson tendered her resignation on Friday 22^nd January, 2016, to the President Mr. Andy Bickerton.

“Whilst disappointed Coach Katie is leaving the F.A. I would like to thank her for her contribution to the development of Football in the Territory and especially for working towards improvements in our Women’s Programmes.” Commented Bickerton “The F.A wishes her all the best in her future endeavour”.

Rowson has been offered an opportunity to take up the post of Head Coach & Manager of Watford Ladies, who play in the English FA Women’s Super League (WSL) second tier.

“This is a huge step in my career and I have worked to achieve this level over the last 18 years and I am delighted to take this opportunity.” She stated “It will be extremely hard to say goodbye to so many people that I have met, worked with, lent on for support and the amazing people that I can now class as friends and family.”

Whilst the F.A. begins the process of finding a replacement Technical Director there will be no disruption to either the Digicel Centre of Excellence, the After School Programme or plans for participation in Representative Youth Tournaments, with existing full time staff Coaches continuing the advancements made over the last season.

Photo courtesy of BVIFA

The British Virgin Islands Football Association (BVIFA) will be re launching the Digicel Sponsored Centre of Excellence from the 23^rd of this Month, with a series of Age Group Try Outs.

The first of such sessions will be held for pre selected U13 Boys and Girls at The Millicent Mercer Recreation Grounds in Baugher’s Bay on January 23^rd, whilst the U9’s and U11’s will be invited to attend on the 30^th January at the same venue.

U15 and U17 Boys and Girls will be contacted directly to attend from the 30^th at a venue to be confirmed.

The Digicel Centre of Excellence will also have an identical programme on Virgin Gorda at the Recreation Ground.

“The FA is delighted to continue the relationship with Digicel and partner with them to support our youths” commented Technical Director, Katie Rowson. “The Digicel Centre of Excellence will be arranged in two blocks of 5-6 weeks each to allow for Easter and will be a focus point for National Age Group Team selections”.

Whilst not precluding anyone in the process, those National Teams will be picked predominantly from within the Digicel Centre of Excellence as the FA’s Player Pathway.

“The U9’s, 11’s and 13’s will focus largely on Technical Skills with lots of 1 v 1 challenges and small sided games” noted Rowson “The U13’s will also be introduced to principles and philosophies of attacking and defending, whilst at the U15 and U17 levels we will concentrate more on our style of play specific to competing at Regional and International levels. Overall we will be now looking to establish a style of play for all the BVI National teams”.

The Digicel Centre of Excellence will not only establish the Player Pathway, but also serve as an ideal environment for Coaching Development.

Outside the likes of Rowson and Avondale Williams, the F.A. also has seven recently qualified Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) “D” License Coaches and will be holding another course from February 18^th to 21^st, 2016, to further increase the “workforce”.

Already 12 have signed up for the CONCACAF “D” License which covers a vast array of topics including the role of Coach/Educators, the Principles of Coaching, health and safety, practical sessions, small sided games, technical / tactical training and of course various tests and exams on all that had been covered.

“Having trained Coaches is an integral part of what we are trying to achieve within the Centre of Excellence” stated Rowson “It is very important that the youths get correct training and become technically proficient in the right environment. The better trained our coaches, then the better our players can become”.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Jackson/VINO

By VINO

In the Women’s Final, the Ballstars looked to be sitting pretty with a two-goal advantage before Jacintha Weekes struck a quick fire brace to send the game into extra time.

Phillia James had earlier given the Ballstars the lead, when she raced onto a through ball from Lilly Pierce to beat the advancing keeper, Decima Lambert and fired home. The second goal came courtesy of a sliced clearance by the Panthers defense, which lobbed up and over the despairing leap from Lambert and into the net.

However, almost directly from the restart, Weekes wriggled her way through the Ballstars back line and made it 2-1. Within ten minutes it was all square when again the Ballstars defense failed to deal with the ball and Kimone Mills fed Weekes who took a touch and made no mistake, shooting low past the keeper.

Into extra time and  Yasmin Ruffel Smith was first to react to a loose ball in the box after a fine save from Decima Lambert from Sharlene Pond’s rifle shot on the turn, to put the Ballstars back ahead and then victory was secured when Lilly Pierce intercepted a goal kick and smashed a shot into the empty net.

The MVP was Jacintha Weekes (Panthers), Golden Glove Brittney Peters (Avengers) and Golden Boot Phillia James (Ballstars).

Sugar Boys top Islanders     

In the Men’s Championship, Sugar Boys beat Islanders 2-0 with second half goals coming from Derol Redhead and McGraw Baptiste.

Redhead flicked home a header, leaving Monty Butler stranded and then Butler failed to deal with a long range free kick and could only watch as the ball rebounded back off the bar and into the path of Baptiste who fired home.

The MVP was Derol Redhead (Sugar Boys), the Golden Gloves Andre Gaymes (Wolues) and Golden Boot, Roger Roberts (Sugar Boys).

The Panthers claimed third place with a 3-2 win against Wolues, who not only had lost key players through suspension, but then having gone into a 2-0 lead, then saw their keeper injured and unable to finish the game.

Photo courtesy of BVI FA

By BVIFA

The Finalists for the BVIFA Men’s Nine A Side have been settled after two high powered action packed semi finals on Sunday 6^th December, 2015, at Greenland Field on the East End of Tortola.

The first game saw the previously unbeaten Wolues succumb to the fast flowing Islanders 4-0, with second half goals coming from Avon Williams, Rohan Lennon, Kevin Fisher and an own goal.

The match ended in a bad tempered flair up between Wolues’ Alesandro Palladino, Rory Greenan and the Islanders Fisher, who all got red carded deep into added time.  The two Wolues players will miss the 3^rd/4^th play off, whilst Fisher will miss out on the final.

The second semi final proved almost as one sided as the Sugar Boys set up a mouthwatering Final against the Islanders with a 5-2 win over the Panthers.

Colin Ollivierre opened the scoring for the Panthers against the run of play late in the first half, but Derol Redhead equalized shortly after the break. McGraw Baptiste then put the Boys from VG ahead in the 54^th minute and Roger Roberts finished off any chance of a come back from the Panthers by smashing a 15 minute hat trick. (59th, 69th, 74^th minutes), before Stenneth Williams scored a late consolation goal for the Panthers

The Final will be held on Sunday 13^th December at Greenland with a kick off scheduled for 6.30pm

The Panthers will play against the Wolues for 3^rd / 4^th place at 5.00pm

In Women’s action the Avengers rounded out their season with a 2-0 win against VG United, with goals coming from Lavern Fahie and the Ballstars set down a marker ahead of the Women’s final with a 2-0 win over the Panthers Women, courtesy of two goals by Philia James.

After finishing first and second in the Women’s League, the pair will clash again for the Women’s Championship as part of Finals day on the 13^th December at 4pm.

All the Players of the week will be recognized at the Trophy Presentation after the Men’s Final including this week’s Alphonso Warner Insurance Female Keithreece Smith and Busta Men’s Player of the Week Monty Butler.

Previous recipients include Lilly Pierce (Ballstars F.C.), Brittney Peters (Avengers F.C), Phillia James (Ballstars F.C), Jacintha Weekes (Panthers Women F.C), Sapphire Flax (Panthers Women F.C.), Sheniece St Jean (Ballstars F.C.), Makayda Fahie (Avengers F.C) and Meekesha Beecher (VG United) for the Alphonso Warner Insurance Female Player of the Week and Andre Gaymes (Wolues F.C.), Errol Coke (Panthers F.C), Kevin Fisher (Islanders F.C.), Andres Bailey (VG United), Shawn Jacob (Sugar Boys F.C.), Sheldon Harry (Old Madrid F.C.), Kevin Carragher (Wolues F.C.), Rory Greenan (Wolues F.C.), Leonard Davis (Sugar Boys F.C.), Rudolph Davis (Panthers F.C.) and Montgomery Butler (Islanders F.C.) for the Busta Men’s Player of the Week award.

Apart from the Championship Trophy, MVPs, Golden Boot and Golden Gloves will be awarded and there will be closing speeches from BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, Representatives of the Sponsors and local dignitories.