The parade of teams for the BDO Schools Football League on Waterfront Drive on Thursday, October 11, 2023. Photo: VINO

Girls participating in the 2023 BDO Schools Football League. Photo: VINO

Girls participating in the 2023 BDO Schools Football League. Photo: VINO

Girls participating in the 2023 BDO Schools Football League. Photo: VINO

Girls participating in the 2023 BDO Schools Football League. Photo: VINO

Mr Ryan R.E. Geluk, Managing Director of sponsor BDO. Photo: VINO

St Georges Primary during the parade of teams for the BDO Schools Football League in Road Town on October 11, 2023. Photo: VINO

Pelican Gate during the parade of teams for the BDO Schools Football League in Road Town on October 11, 2023. Photo: VINO

Ciboney Centre for Excellence during the parade of teams for the BDO Schools Football League in Road Town on October 11, 2023. Photo: VINO

Bregado Flax Education Centre- Primary Division during the parade of teams for the BDO Schools Football League in Road Town on October 11, 2023. Photo: VINO

Francis Lettsome Primary School during the parade of teams for the BDO Schools Football League in Road Town on October 11, 2023. Photo: VINO

Hundreds of children braved the heat and, despite the absence of music or drums, merrily made their way through Road Town, from First Caribbean International Bank to A.O. Shirley Grounds, for the opening of the 13th edition of the BDO Schools Football League on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Photo: VINO

BVI Seventh-day Adventist School. Photo: VINO

The procession of children was a colourful and encouraging spectacle and gave an indication of the growing interest in football in the territory.

Some 22 schools (17 Primary & 5 Secondary), some fielding several teams, are taking part in the League slated to kick off next week.

At A.O. Shirley Grounds, the children, teachers and parents were addressed by Avanel Morton, Vice President of the BVI Football Association (BVIFA); Juliana Luke, General Secretary of BVIFA; and Mr Ryan R.E. Geluk, Managing Director of sponsor BDO.

18 national players came through BDO League- Avanel Morton

Mr Morton noted that 18 players in the national team set to play Dominica in St Lucia today, October 12, 2023, came through the BDO Schools League.

He told the eager boys and girls that football is a team sport and it can take them anywhere they want to go in the world. He also asked parents to continue to let their children be a part of the league.

Mr Geluk said the BDO League is “an excellent programme” for children, whether they aspire to play football professionally or just want to have fun.

BDO proud of league’s successes- Ryan R.E. Geluk

He added that BDO International is proud of what the league has accomplished regarding the development of players. Mr Geluk noted too that Luka E. Chalwell, who recently signed a professional contract in England, came through the BDO Schools League.

Ms Luke highlighted the involvement of many girls in this year’s league. More than 110 girls are participating in the league and will play alongside the boys.

Girls’ footballers ‘the future of tomorrow’- Juliana Luke

Ms Luke said the opening of the league coincided with International Day of the Girl Child. She said it is known that football is stereotyped as a men’s sport; however, she wanted to congratulate the girls who are part of the league. “They are showing they are the future of tomorrow,” Ms Luke stated.

The girls were then invited to take photographs as a group to mark the significance of the day.

The participating schools in the league to be contested in various age categories include St Georges Primary, Robinson O’Neal Primary, Ciboney Centre for Excellence, Bregado Flax Educational Centre, Leonora Delville Primary, Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary, Joyce Samuel Primary, Pelican Gate,  Cedar International School, Willard Wheatley Primary, Francis Lettsome Primary, Ivan Dawson Primary, Enis Adams Primary and Elmore Stoutt High School.

The BVIFA has said it will soon be releasing the fixture for the BDO Schools Football League.