National Head Coach hopeful of closing the gap in the CONCACAF Nations’ League match against Puerto Rico

March 14, 2023 by
BVI Football Association Head Coach, Chris Kiwomya is looking to the future with young players as he looks to close the gap in Nations League encounter with Puerto Rico at the A.O. Shirley Ground on March 23rd, 2023. Photo: BVIFA

BVI Football Association Head Coach, Chris Kiwomya is looking to the future with young players as he looks to close the gap in Nations League encounter with Puerto Rico at the A.O. Shirley Ground on March 23rd, 2023.

In a recent interview on 284 Media, ahead of the CONCACAF Nations’ League clash with Puerto Rico, Men’s National team Head Coach, Chris Kiwomya noted that he had been impressed with the showing of two or three youth players and that some would, no doubt, get their opportunity to be involved and gain experience in the senior set up.

BVIFA President, Andy Bickerton, current National team captain, Troy Caesar and forward Tyler Forbes were also in attendance and, such has been the impact of a development plan spearheaded by Bickerton, supported by his Executive Committee, that those two, still youthful players are already considered stalwarts of the team and are about to be joined by the next generation from the BVIFA’s youth development programme.

When asked by the President, Coach Kiwomya cautioned that it was a big step up from youth to Men’s football, but mentioned Johari Lacey, Azarni Callwood, and the Abram brothers as being in line for a chance to gain experience in what will be a tough game to end the CONCACAF Champions League campaign.

Forbes recognised that the level of the National League had increased and was much more competitive. Coach Kiwomya is keen to reward those players doing well in the local league by giving them an opportunity to get used to being around the senior players. He also sees the benefits of involving them and encouraging them to continue their development and keep improving as they are the future of the national team.

Rebels coach, Latoya Sue – recently praised by the Deputy Governor, David Archer, for her work in Football – already has a cadre of other players like Denvin Jones, Jahmal Austin Prentice and Ikyjah Williams representing at National levels so Lacey and will be in good company.

VG United under Coaches Glen Bascombe, Richie Morton and Jermain Abrams are already boasting Giovanni Grant, Daniel Gilford, and Levon Williams having made senior debuts. That list could well be swelled by the likes of the Abrams brothers, Mekhi Waters and Sheldon Toney, who have all been involved at representative youth tournaments and are pushing for places in the senior squad. .

Another exciting prospect, and one mentioned by the coach as a possible contender, is Azarni Callwood.

According to the BVIFA, whatever the final squad is, and despite the fact that the reverse fixture resulted in a 0-6 defeat, with several youngsters coming into the frame, who are like family to each other, the game will prove a valuable experience against professional opponents and show the home fans National Pride.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: , ,

BVI Men’s National Football team ready for first home game since 2016, against the Cayman Islands on Friday at the A.O. Shirley Ground in the CONCACAF Nations’ League

June 2, 2022 by

The hosts will be hoping that their second campaign yields more positive results than the first, which saw them finish bottom of the group despite some promising moments.

The Caymans, on the other hand, are eyeing promotion after narrowly missing out on League B last time around when they finished tied for first in their group but lost out to Barbados on goal differential.

Veteran Mark Ebanks has been banging them in for the Cayman Islands for over a decade and remains one of the top scoring threats on the team. He scored the goal in the Cayman Islands’ 1-1 draw with Bermuda during 2022 World Cup qualifying last year.

For the British Virgin Islands, most eyes will be on Tyler Forbes. Forbes impressed during the previous Nations’ League as a teenager, scoring three times and emerging as a young leader in the squad.

The two sides last met at the senior level during the first round of the 2005 Caribbean Cup, when the Cayman Islands edged a 1-0 victory.

Effectively the game sees the start of a new four-year cycle for the squad with many graduates of the BVI Football Association Youth Programs cementing their places and some making their debuts.

“It is a deliberate move and a policy of the BVIFA to introduce the youths to senior football,” said BVIFA president, Mr. Andy Bickerton. “The strategy has been to get our most promising youths overseas to not only play but gain education through study and the number of young players breaking through shows the idea has worked.”

Also, new Head Coach, Chris Kiwomya, will be in the dugout for his first competitive game since taking over the reins. “We have held camps during the buildup, and I am happy and confident with the composition of the squad. We are here to compete, play to our strengths, and how to win the game,” said Coach Kiwomya.

Kiwomya has been watching the younger players as well as the senior players and talking to all the local coaches to fully understand who can achieve what at this level.

“We have had to be careful with the players and the intensity of training, but we are taking each day at a time especially with games coming in a short time frame and assessing everyone before narrowing down to the final squad,” said Coach Kiwomya. “We must not get too far ahead of ourselves, it is a fresh start and there will be ups and downs, the players have to get the fans excited by their performance and over the next 18 months or so we can move forward, make progress and be a real force.”

After Friday, the squad heads off to the Cayman Islands for the return fixture on Monday, June 6 followed by a match against Puerto Rico on June 12.

Troy Caesar is also back as Captain having been unavailable for the more recent World Cup qualifiers. “We are here to compete, and it is great to see the camaraderie that flows throughout the players,” said Caesar. “Once we all listen and understand what the Coach wants us to do, then we will come out with a victory.”

Ikyjah Williams has already played at senior level, having starred for the U20’s and is now joined by many of his teammates from the tournament held in the Dominican Republic. “I’m excited for the game, I know we will compete, impress the Coach, and play to win!” said Williams.

Goalkeeper, Daniel Gilford has also been promoted to first choice between the sticks having been in and around the senior squad without getting a game. “Becoming first choice, I won’t let anyone down and have been working hard, like everyone said we are here to compete,” said Gilford.

“The BVIFA is really excited by being able to play home games again,” said Bickerton. “We are still working on the stadium at East End and once that is done there will be more games at home. For now, we are working with the Recreation Trust to host games, and are very thankful for their support, but playing home games is really important so the public can see the progress we are making.”

The game against Cayman Islands kicks off at 4pm on Friday 3rd June at the A.O. Shirley Ground. Adult tickets are just $10 and Children U12 just $5.

The full squad includes Mekhi Walters, Gilford, Ceasar, Jerry Wiltshire, Phil Nelson, Denvin Jones, Miguel Marshall, Justin Smith, Christian Javier, Giovanni Grant, Williams, Makimbo Demming, Quelani Nickie, T’Sharne Gallimore, Jamie Wilson, Liam Blok, Carlos Septus, Tyler Forbes, Luka Chalwell, Jake Forbes, Luca Reich, Levon Williams, Alejandro Santos, Tai Thomas, Gethin Jones.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: , , ,

BVI bows out of World Cup 2018 qualifiers

March 30, 2015 by

By BVIFA

BVI in possession of the ball in first round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers vs Dominica but bows out 2-3. Photo: BVIFA

BVI in possession of the ball in first round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers vs Dominica but bows out 2-3. Photo: BVIFA

Needing to win by two clear goals after losing the “home” leg to Dominica, 3-2, the BVI were held goalless in the away leg at Windsor Park, Roseau, of the first round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers and bowed out of the competition on Sunday evening.

The BVI started brightly and took full advantage of the space offered by the Dominica side that preferred to sit back and wait out the opening exchanges.

With a revamped line including switching James Shearman to right back and inserting Trevor Peters out wide on the right, the hosts were nearly made to pay for their hesitancy, firstly by Matthew Bell and then Karl Espley, who both saw half chances go begging.

Ever dangerous on the break, Dominica sounded alarm bells, with Julian Wade going close and Daniel Barker producing a finger tip save of the match to keep BVI hopes alive.

Early in the second half, with the game still in the balance, Peters just failed to get a touch ahead of the last defender, with the goal beckoning. Andy Davis also saw a shot scream just wide and Epsley also saw his effort go wide.

However, with the hosts now introducing Randolph Peltier, much to the crowds delight, the BVI were pushed back and thankful for more fine saves from Barker including a couple of one on ones with Peltier, a diving block to deny Wade and also another fine save from Sidney Lockhart.

On the night, a stalemate was a fair result and represented a tremendous performance from the BVI team. Coach Avondale Williams, whilst regretting the defensive errors that cost his team dear in the first leg, noted that he was proud of his team.

“It was very difficult to break down their defense but we battled hard, created a few good chances, but were unable to convert them,” said Williams. “Daniel Barker was very impressive and kept us in the game, especially as we pushed forward in the latter stages of the game. To go out of the competition is a bitter pill to swallow, but with the performance I believe we are on the right track to only get better and better as a team.”

Dominica’s Coach, Shane Marshall commented that his team grew into the game especially in the second half. “We started slowly, but in the second half began to knock the ball around, looked comfortable and had many shots on goal,” said Marshall. “Before we play Canada, we have to go back to the drawing board and work on our first touches, our crosses and our finishing.”

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: , , , ,