The BVI Football Association’s BDO Primary School and LIME High School Leagues kicked off yesterday with a march from the Road Town Ferry Dock to the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.
The BDO Primary School programme has seen an increase in participation since it was started four years ago, according to the BVIFA. This year there are 20 under-7, 17 under-9 and 17 under-13 teams competing in the league.
“The player registration has gone from around 500 to nearly 600,” said Primary School League Coordinator Cassandra Gregg. “Everything is geared up for another wonderful year.”
BVIFA President Andy Bickerton said the Primary School League will include the entire territory.
“It is good news that Anegada and for the first time Jost Van Dyke will have teams in the Primary School League,” the BVIFA president said. “Althea Scatliffe Primary School has also held an Inter House Tournament ahead of this year’s BDO Primary School League and is obviously looking to be a serious threat to the likes of First Impressions and Cedar School.”
Games will start on Feb. 2.
The under-7s will play games at ASPS and on Virgin Gorda.
The under-9s and under-13s will play at Baughers Bay, as well as on VG.
The LIME High School League kicks off the week after with six teams in the Open Boys Division, four in the Under-14 Mixed Division and four in the Girls Open Division.
“The BVIFA is satisfied, but not complacent about the progression of the young boys and girls into our national programmes,” said Mr. Bickerton. “An under-15 girls team performed very creditably at the CONCACAF tournament and the under-15 boys just missed out on a semi-final spot in the St. Maarten F.A.’s Easter Invitational Tournament in 2014 when they faced teams from Guadeloupe, Martinique and the USVI.”
Full fixture lists for this year’s school leagues are available at the BVIFA office at the Botanic Station.
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