From left to right: Christopher "Mini" Telemaque, Trevor Peters and Joel Fahie are the first three recipients of a new BVIFA Scholarship Scheme launched on Friday, January 6, 2012.

BVIFA President Andy Bickerton and Legal Advisor, Ricky Davis both hope that the boys will become Role Models during the time at Kansas Cloud Community College.

It is the first time such a plan has been implemented by the BVIFA, although the first Football player to go away to college was Amanda Emmanuel, who attended Bryant and Stratton College in Syracuse. She studied for an Associate Degree in Information Technology in 2003.

Unfortunately, although girls were offered places in subsequent years, none were able to take up the offers.

Now the BVIFA hopes their new scheme will become a permanent fixture in the Association’s development plans.

The idea was originally born out of a meeting with then BVIFA President Franka Pickering, Team Manager Ricky Davis, technical director Patrick Mitchell and Coach Avondale Williams, following the team’s exit from the World Cup 2014 qualifiers at the hands of the USVI.

“While we have good football players they lack experience and against the USVI we noted that the players they had from the college system were better,” Davis explained.

During those discussions, the issue of scholarships came up and a decision was made to pursue the matter.

Telemaque, who along with Peters will be studying Web Site Design and Computer Studies, did most of the research on a suitable placement using his computer skills to match the requirements of the three boys academically along with their sporting needs.

“There is a college search website, so I put in exactly what our requirements were and it gives you a list of suitable colleges,” Telemaque said.

Fahie will be pursuing Architecture along with playing football.

The BVIFA was prepared to support the three because of their commitment, desire and dedication to further not only their education but also their football ability.

“Funding has been provided to the amount of $4,000 each, which will take them up to December 2012. The plan and its success will be reviewed at that point, but it is hoped they will be role models for the future,” commented Andy Bickerton, the current BVIFA President.

Kansas Cloud Community takes part in the NJCAA and the football team are current National Champions, having beaten Monroe College 4-1 in the Final.

The boys will arrive during the off season and have plenty of time to get used to the new conditions before the season starts in August.

Bickerton also made it clear that each of the boys are under contracts, while at Cloud C.C. through the Scholarship Programme and that each had committed to be available for any National Team matches during the year.

“They have a good Football programme and it is an excellent environment for the Boys to excel,” concluded Davis.