By BVIFA

The U17 Girls’ team weathered some storms both on and off the field during the recent Caribbean Football Union World Cup Qualification Tournament in Nevis, but regardless of results not going quite according to plan, overall their performance was encouraging and as a team they showed some bright signs for the future.

The first Game against St Kitts and Nevis, played at the Elquemedo Willett Park on Nevis was a 3-1 defeat to the hosts, but the second half performance was one that pleased Coach Katie Rowson.

“St Kitts and Nevis raced into a 3-0 lead by half time, but the second half belonged to the BVI as the girls out shone their opponents, just lacking the final touch in front of goal,” said Rowson. “The girls kept their shape well throughout, although did not do well at some of the basics.  It was 3-0 at half time.  The girls were brilliant in the second half and closed down, marked up and their movement was fantastic.  It ended 3-1, we scored from a penalty.  I was very happy with the performance in the second half and thought that the result was a fair one and better than expected before the competition.”

The second game was against Caribbean power houses, Trinidad and Tobago and it didn’t take long for the BVI girls to realize that they were up against a whole new level of football.
“A very disappointing game/performance/result for us,” noted Rowson. “T & T were a different level – we ‘parked the bus’ from 20 minutes into the first half, but it was still 3-0 by half time. We changed the line up for the second half and actually played better, but T and T kept pushing scoring 5 more with two scored in the last two minutes – very disappointing.”

In the final group game against  Dominica, the girls were unlucky to not at least claim a point, as after Dominica had grabbed the lead, the BVI bounced back to equalize inside the last 15 minutes. However Dominica stole all three points with a late winner in a 2-1 defeat.

“A very close game with two errors leading to conceding a goal in each half.  We scored from following in a free kick from Katie Lowery, with Emily Lowery heading it in. Our shape was very good and we were more organized. It was extremely disappointing to lose the game but felt that our games against Dominica and St Kitts showed that we are not too far away from other teams,” said Rowson.

BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, was pleased with the performances from what was a group of young inexperienced girls. “It is good that we were competitive in all of the games. We fielded a very young team with the majority of the girls aged between 12 and 15 so they will still be eligible for this age group for a number of years,” said Bickerton.  “We are very much in a developmental stage in women’s football so we are encouraged to see the progress our girls continue to make. They represented the BVI well both on and off the field and the BVIFA are very proud of them.”

By BVI Platinum.com

Confidence is high among the girls national under-17 team who arrived in Nevis this morning, August 20 for the Caribbean Football Union / FIFA World Cup Qualifiers which take place August 22-26.

“I think if every teammate on my team contributes and puts effort and strength that we will do well in this under-17 tournament,” said team captain Jackisha ‘JJ’ Rigobert at a media conference yesterday, August 19.

The BVI is grouped with strong teams such as St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Dominica. On Friday, the BVI will clash with St. Kitts at 8 p.m. with subsequent matches on Monday and Wednesday against Trinidad and Dominica respectively.

According to the BVI Football Association, the team is largely made up of players who were part of the 20-member squad that represented the BVI in the Cayman Islands last year.

“I believe in my team; I have faith in my team. Since from last year in Cayman Islands I saw the potential and effort from each and everyone of my team mates and I know this year we do good in this tournament no matter how tough the opponents may be. I know for sure we will do well,” said Rigobert.

The team includes Kaylah Skelton, Gabby Dawson, Lilly Pierce, Emily Lowrey, Abbie Heywood, Katie Lowrey, Morgan Creque, Tia Modeste, Olivia Messum, Shevonne Vanterpool, D’Avian Williams, Sheniece St John, Bethany Howarth, Akira Phillips.

BVIFA President Andy Bickerton said that he is pleased with the way the team has progressed and expects continued improvement.

“We are not going into these tournaments thinking that we are going in to walk away and win them because we are obviously playing strong countries. What is important is that we participate well and we are serious about our preparation and our players boys or girls use the opportunity to gain the experience and help us build the future,” said Bickerton.

Coach Kate Rowson said that the there are a few girls from the Cayman squad that can’t travel, but two girls were added, one who was part of the under-20 squad a few years ago.

“It was big learning curve last year. It was the biggest stage the girls have every played on in terms of playing in front a thousand people in the first game at night under floodlights which a lot of them had not done so straight away we are in a better position straight away,” said Coach Rowson.

Noting that preparations were hampered last year due to the lack of facilities, Rowson noted that this year there were faced with similar challenges, but the team has used it as an advantage.

“Not having the 11-a-side field to practice on; we have taken that slight disadvantage and used it to you advantage….we have been practicing on a smaller field which has made it nice and compact which means the girls has had the opportunity to practice with having very little time on the ball which has put them under pressure to make sure they have a good first touch and they play the ball early,” Rowson stated.