U15 invitational football tournament set to kick off
(CNS Local Life): Young footballers from the Caribbean, Central America, and the US will be on display as they participate in the the Cayman Islands Invitational U15 Youth Football Cup starting Tuesday, 4 June. The tournament, which runs through 8 June, is hosted by the West Bay Sports Foundation (WBSF) and the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) and will feature eight teams.
Among the participants are the Cayman Islands and the Cuba national U15 teams, both of which are preparing for the CONCACAF U15 Championships in Florida this summer. Other teams include Cavalier FC (Jamaica), CD Victoria (Honduras), DC United (US), Mt Pleasant Academy (Jamaica), Portmore United (Jamaica) and Tobago All Stars (Trinidad and Tobago).
“We’re really excited to have attracted another quality field of teams to compete in the tournament,” said WBSF co-founder Arden Rivers in a press release. “To be able to provide this level of competition for our national players should be extremely helpful for their development and preparation ahead of the CONCACAF tournament this summer.”
CIFA president Alfredo Whittaker added, “To work with the West Bay Sports Foundation team to host a tournament like this shows what can happen when people come together. I’m looking forward to seeing our Cayman Islands footballers being put to the test against some good teams, and hopefully get some wins in front of their supporters at home.”
The matches will be played at two venues: Ed Bush Sports Complex in West Bay and the Cayman Brac Sports Field.
Group 1 will be played in Cayman Brac and feature CD Victoria, Mt Pleasant Academy, Tobago All Stars, and Cavalier FC. In Group 2, which is being contested at Ed Bush Sports Complex, Cayman Islands will face their counterparts from Cuba, along with youngsters Portmore United and from DC United’s academy that develops players for Major League Soccer.
The tournament kicks off on Tuesday with a pair of games each at both venues; start times are 6:30pm and 8:30pm. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on Friday for a chance to play in Saturday’s final.
This year, the winning team will lift the Winston Chung Memorial Cup in honour of the legendary coach who passed away a few months ago. “It was always his vision to host international tournaments like this one in the Cayman Islands. So, it is fitting that we honour him in this way,” said Mervin Smith, WBSF co-founder.
Admission to all games is free. For further details, including the schedule, go to the Cayman Islands Invitational U15 Youth Football Cup website
Keep up the great work Arden, Mervin and the WBSF so proud of you guys for all the hard work, dedication and wishing you all the teams a wonderful tournament. Thanks to the sponsors, families, volunteers and CIFA staff who is under excellent management with Alfredo.