Last Thursday, the BVI Football Association announced plans to compete in an open football tournament in St. Maarten on April 18-22 during a press briefing at the association’s Botantic Station headquarters.

The tournament will feature eight teams from Canada, the United States, both French and Dutch St. Maarten, and four other teams from around the region.

“It is a wide spread of teams,” BVIFA President Andy Bickerton said. “We expect the standard to be very high and tremendous exposure for our youngsters.”

Training camps for the tournament started about four weeks ago with 32 players competing for 24 spots on one of two under-13 teams.

According to BVIFA officials, the trials went so well they contacted tournament officials to see if they could send two teams, instead of just one team of 12 players.

Players are from a wide cross section of primary schools from Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

“In the past when selecting teams to compete … we have never had this kind of turnout from interested parties,” Mr. Bickerton said. “We are really, really enthused by the turnout and commitment of the players.”

The BVIFA was invited to particpate in the tournament last November and “immediately put the wheels in motion” to prepare for the event, said BVIFA Technical Director Keith “Grell” Griffith.

“This is the catalyst of BVIFA football,” Mr. Griffith said. “When the players return from the tournament they will continue training as the future under-15 national team.”

Cassandra Gregg, who runs the primary football programme as a BVIFA development officer, said she had a hard time selecting the final players.

“These kids are so talented,” Ms. Gregg said. “It was hard for us to drop about 20 players at first.”

So, the BVIFA got approval for a second team, but more cuts still had to be made.

“I was still sad that we had to drop eight,” Ms. Gregg said. “[However,]Most of them are young, so next year they will have another opportunity.”

Guillaume Parkins said he was proud to be the captain of Team One.

“I can’t wait to go to St. Maarten,” Guillaume said. “It is going to be an experience of a life time for me. If we give it our best then I think we can win or at least make the finals.”

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