The BVI U13 Boys team left the territory this morning, May 22, 2015 for St Maarten where they will be taking part in the Coupe de la Com. Photo: Provided

The team is made of Under 13 Boys from the newly invigorated National Training Programme and includes Harsh Banthia, Marcus Butler Junior, Jesse Cooke, Shamoi Dore, Giovanni Grant, Sheldon Harry Junior, Miquel Marshall, Guillaume Parkins, Jahmal Prentice, Alejandro Santos- Torres, Lucas Gorringe-Santos and Justin Smith.

BVIFA Technical Director Katie Rowson is in charge of the team and will receive support from Assistant Coach Avondale Williams and Physio Sheldon Harry.

“The format of the competition is 8v8,” explained Rowson. “There are five other teams in the tournament, which is to be played in a league type format, followed by semi finals and final on the last day, Sunday. We will be up against the likes of St Maarten, the USVI, and Club Franciscan.”

During Easter last year, the BVIFA sent teams to participate in the same tournament in St Maarten, with the “Rockers” narrowly failing to reach the semi finals.

Rowson, who has had the squad in training for the last two weeks or so, explained that the first priority is to go one better this time around. “We intend to go one better and claim a top four finish, to secure a place on the final’s day and once that goal is achieved, we will have the confidence to go all the way!”

Practice sessions have been held four times a week on various fields around the territory and each session well attended by the excited group of Boys. “Whether in pouring rain or burning sun, each time more boys have come out and have done all I could have asked of them," said Rowson. “We have worked on technical and tactical aspects of the game and the boys have shown great enthusiasm to listen and learn. I have no doubt they will enjoy the experience and come home even better players."

Schedule

The BVI’S first game is against Club Franciscan, so the team will be looking to avenge a 3-0 defeat in last year’s tournament, before having to meet the US Marinoise less than an hour later.

Then on Saturday May 23, 2015 the BVI takes on the USVI at 9:30am and St Marrten A at 11:00am.

St Maarten B is the scheduled game for Saturday afternoon, which will conclude the group stage.

The tournament is the first step in a busy season for the BVI youth players, with the U15 Boy’s team heading off to the Cayman Islands in August to participate in the U-15 Boys CONCACAF Championships.

“Everyone in the programme will have a busy year, as even if not selected for the upcoming tournaments they will have the opportunity to play in some friendly games towards the end of the year and therefore I am optimistic of not only keeping the current crop focused but also attracting even more boys to come and join the football family.

"I will be establishing a full player pathway to include an Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 player squad. The structure will help grow and develop football to a new level within the territory,” Rowson said.