AUGUST 2014, VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8, CARIBBEAN FOOTBALL UNION NEWSLETTER ARTICLES 3 CFU teams shone in CONCACAF U-15 Championship 4 USVI conducts USSF Level E Course 5 Waterhouse doing well in CONCACAF Champions Leaguer Trinidad and Tobago Women are CFU 2014 Caribbean Cup Champs H istory was made in the Twin Islands Republic of Trinidad & Tobago when the Soca Princesses defeated rivals Jamaica 1-0 to claim the championship in the culmination of the finals of the inaugural Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women s Caribbean Cup. TT CFU WCC Team Meanwhile, Haiti outplayed Martinique 5-1 to take third place bragging rights. 6 Former Bahamas Football Boss Sam Haven is dead 7 Barbados Tourism Authority and Liverpool FC form union 7 New Technical Director for Barbados CFU s Chairperson of Women s Football Committee and President of Turks and Caicos Football Association Sonia Bien-Aime was pleased with the success of the tournament. The CFU inaugural Women s Caribbean Cup was a tremendous success. Given that it was the CFU s first women s tournament we expected that there would have been some hiccups, however, this gave us an opportunity to assess various areas of the game to include where we are and what we can improve upon from an organizational standpoint. The participating MAs need to be commended for their efforts and all that they have done to prepare their respective teams for the competition on the limited resources that s available to them. Whilst there may have been a gap in the level of performance between some of the teams, I can boast that the level of competition was of very good standard, especially the finals which saw host Trinidad defeating Jamaica in one of the most exciting Cont d page 2
T&T Women...Champs contd ninety minutes of women s football that I have ever watched, said Bien Aime. Echoing those sentiments also was CFU President Gordon Derrick, The women s game in the Caribbean is growing from strength to strength. The enthusiasm shown by these ladies made us all proud and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours. We will do our part at the CFU level to ensure that women s football remains strong and vibrant, said the President. Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Martinique and Haiti advances to the CONCACAF Women s Championships which is scheduled to be hosted in the United States of America by host cities Chicago, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. At this level these four teams will compete against other teams in the CONCACAF region with a vision of reaching the 2015 FIFA Women s World Cup Finals. The top three teams from the 2014 CONCACAF Women s Championship will qualify directly to the 2015 FIFA Women s World Cup, while the fourth placed team will play the third placed team of the 2014 South American Women s Football Championship for qualification. JAMAICA senior women s team The afternoon of Tuesday, August 26 will be remembered as a carnival like atmosphere in the Hasely Crawford Stadium as hundreds of supporters came out to witness history. Both teams started off the game with a high tempo as Jamaica threatened their opponent s goal almost immediately. But it was tournament MVP Mariah Shade who scored in the 8th minute to separate the two teams. The host nation continued to keep a high tempo in the game which proved to be too much for the Jamaican team. The Reggae Girlz were no pushovers during the match as they also provided a stern test, keeping Trinidad s defence occupied as they attacked relentlessly looking for the equalizer. In the second half Jamaica continued to ask questions of the Trinidad s defence but defender Arin King and her team, who HAITI senior women s team were yet to concede a goal during the tournament were simply too organized. Jamaica came close to finding an equalizer in the 90th minute, when a dangerous cross was sent in to Donna-Kay Henry but her shot was put wide of the mark. Soon after the final whistle blew and Trinidad & Tobago were crowned Champions of the Inaugural Women s Caribbean Cup 2014. 2
CFU teams shone in CONCACAF U-15 Championship Caribbean teams Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago placed second and third respectively in the keenly contested inaugural CONCACAF Girls Under-15 championship staged at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, in George Town, Grand Cayman, August 6-17. Canada won the Championship 4-1 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 score line at the end of regulation time placing Haiti in second position. In the third and fourth place play-off Trinidad and Tobago turned back Honduras 5-2 to take third place. Trinidad & Tobago U15 team President of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), Gordon Derrick praised the efforts of all the CFU teams involved and said they made the region proud. Anytime you can hold your own against the likes of Canada, Costa Rica and countries who have significantly larger budgets for women s football than us in the Caribbean, it is a testament to good planning and desire to succeed. Our girls went in with the belief that they were as good or even better than their more established opponents and gave of their best; we as a region are extremely proud of them, said Derrick. A delighted Sonia Bien-Aime chairperson of CFU Women s Football Committee was more than impressed with the outstanding performances from these Caribbean stars and said, The talents and techniques displayed at this tournament from the young players definitely exceeds expectations. It was impressive to see that most of the CFU teams were amongst the top performers of the tournament, which exemplifies the MA s investment into the girls development programmes. Obviously, there is still a gap between the performance of the stronger and weaker teams, but with the support of the CONCACAF and the CFU and the continuous commitment of the MAs to the development of the U13 and U15 programmes, this too will improve. Initially, sixteen Countries competed in this event namely Anguilla, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Curacao, Cuba, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, Bahamas, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Gordon Derrick The evenly matched teams both of which officially completed the competition with undefeated records were also inseparable in their match-up at the preliminary stage in Group D. Haiti took a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute, when Nerilia Mondesir poached the ball from the Canadian defense and thundered it home. It was the 15-year-old forward s sixth goal of the tournament, giving her a share of the Golden Boot award with Chelsea Green of the Cayman Islands. Sarah Stratigakis netted the equalizer in the 64th minute, heading Shana Flynn s cross pass Haitian custodian Magdala Macean. Canada pressed for the winner, but the French speaking Caribbean team would not allow that, sending the game into the dreaded penalty kick. The Haitians showed weaknesses in this period of the game missing their penalty shots and the goal keeper failing to make enough saves to get pass the Canadians thus ending the game 4-1 on penalties. 3 Cont d page 4
T&T Women...Champs contd Trinidad and Tobago captured the third place in this championship by virtue of dismissing Honduras. Raenah Campbell and Laurelle Theodore both netted a brace to lead the Soca Princesses. The high-scoring encounter saw its first goal in just the third minute, when Campbell reacted quickly to a through ball and steered a shot past goalkeeper Alexandra Padilla. Theodore then struck twice in succession to make it 3-0, beating the offside trap on the first to score in the 16th minute and then slotting home after Padilla could not hold a Shenieka Paul attempt four minutes later. In the 34th minute, Kaydeen Jack followed up on Campbell s effort that hovered near the goal line for an easy tap in. In the 36th minute Campbell closed the Trinidad goal account. Haiti U 15 team Honduras captain Lisbeth Bonilla again demonstrated her ability to score from free kicks, finding the back of the net in the 60th and 68th minutes. USVI conducts USSF Level E Course In an attempt to improve the level of professionalism at all levels of soccer in the Virgin Islands, as well as improving the quality and knowledge of the coaching body, the US Virgin Island Soccer Association hosted a US Soccer Federation (USSF) sponsored Level E Coaching Course on August 22-24, 2014 at the Caravelle Hotel in Christiansted, St. Croix VI. The course instructor was Paul Shaw who is the Coaching Education Director of the Virginia Soccer Association. The CFU BEACON caught up with President of USVISA Hillaren Frederick who had this to say This Course is part of our development plan that was recently adopted by the USVISA Executive Committee. The plan was drafted by the Technical Director Mr. Kendall Walkes formerly of West Chester University in Philadelphia and who has a US Soccer Federation Coaching License Level A. This Course will surely expose our Coaches to the requirements that are needed if they want to be coaches with the highest USSF Level E Course participants qualification. We have hosted many courses before but this one is a certification course where each participant will be required to retain a certain amount of information to obtain the E License and eventually be recommended to take D License and the subsequent levels all the way up to A License. USVI Soccer will benefit on a whole as these coaches will go back to their clubs and continue the development work and wait for the next Level, end of quote. This course was opened to the St. Croix and St. Thomas regions. It is the first of five courses with the intention of having all US Virgin Islands coaches obtaining the highest coaching license available which will be the Level A USSF Coaching License. 4
Waterhouse doing well in CONCACAF Champions League T he Caribbean Football Union (CFU) outfit Waterhouse FC made history by winning their first-ever CONCACAF Champions League game in Jamaica by defeating Tauro FC 4-1 in an impressive performance on Thursday, August 28, at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. The goal scorers were the prolific striker Germaine (Tuffy) Anderson in the 13th and 55th, Damarley Samuels in the 34th and Neiko Williams in the 92nd minute for the winners while scoring the lone goal for Tauro FC was Jose Luis Garces. This victory has placed Waterhouse FC firmly at the top of the table with six points while their opponents are at the verge of elimination having suffered its second consecutive CCL loss. Waterhouse in action. After two substitutions Tauro FC started to make some desperate efforts to change the score line. In the 64th minute this effort proved worthwhile as Tauro FC was on one goal resulting from a header from a corner kick thanks to Jose Luis Garces. Waterhouse FC will finish group stage action when it hosts D.C. United on September 16, while Tauro FC will welcome the Major League Soccer side on October 21. Meanwhile, the other two CFU teams representing the region Bayamon FC and Alpha United are yet to get on the score board after losing all of their games so far. Waterhouse Team Puerto Rico Bayamon - Team 5 AlphaUnited - Team
Former Bahamas FA Boss Leaves Legacy Behind On Thursday, August 28, the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) lost one of its great men Sam Haven, who was a past President of the FA, he passed away early in the morning in Florida. President of the Caribbean Football Union Gordon Derrick immediately issued a statement in sympathy with the BFA and his extended family saying, Sam was the perfect example of how a player can continue to contribute to the game long after hanging up his boots when he made the transition to administration. The CFU family has indeed lost a good man and a committed football lover. The rest of the region joins with The Bahamas FA and Sam s family as we celebrate his life, remember his contributions and honour his legacy. May his soul continue to rest in perpetual peace. Haven was a talented and skilled soccer player with the United Football Club, formerly Nick s Body Shop, where he played with such notables as Brian Serville, Peter Daniels, Andy Guilluime, Steven Bellot and Lionel Haven. He later went on to became Coach and President of the club which he guided to numerous National Championships. He served as President of the Bahamas Football Association and was responsible for the formation of the New Providence Football league and the introduction of Women s Football into the League. The reigning President of the BFA, Anton Sealey said Sam was a truly gifted footballer with a fierce passion for the The CFU family has indeed lost a good man and a committed football lover... May his soul continue to rest in perpetual peace. game. Highly intelligent, he not only was a gifted footballer, but was arguably one of the country s best all-around athletes, playing a number of different sports and did so at a very high level. As an administrator and mentor, he contributed mightily to the growth and development of the game in the country. We in the BFA are indebted to Sam for his tremendous contributions as a player, coach and executive in football. On behalf of the football family we extend our condolences to the Haven Family at this most difficult time. 6
Barbados Tourism Authority and Liverpool FC form union The Barbados Tourism Authority announced the signing of a two year partnership with Liverpool Football Club, which will run until the end of the 2015/16 Barclay Premier League season. The exclusive tourism partnership places the Barbados Tourism Authority in the position of the Club s Official Tourism Partner, and will see the BTA promote the lush Caribbean island to Liverpool FC s global fan base, with a focus on engaging with fans in the UK, North America, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Devon Chase, Acting Senior Business Development Manager of the BTA travelled over to the home of the Reds to enjoy the club s first game of the season against Southampton. Mr. Chase met with LFC Ambassador Robbie Fowler and the Club s Sales Director, Olly Dale, and got a taste of the atmosphere of Anfield on match-day. To celebrate the alliance, Liverpool FC fans will be introduced to a slice of the island s charm and given the opportunity to taste the flavors of traditional Bajan cuisine at a special Taste of Barbados event. The pop-up Barbados experience will take place at Anfield s Family Park, at the home game against Aston Villa, on Saturday 13 September, 2014. Fans can expect delicious food, pumping Caribbean beats from the steel band, dance performances and much more certainly enough to whet the appetite for a trip to the island! Commenting on the new partnership, Billy Hogan, Chief Commercial Officer at Liverpool FC, said: The new partnership with the Barbados Tourism Authority is really exciting for the Club and our fans. As well as us being able to engage with fans in the Caribbean, tapping into what is already a nation of sports lovers. New Technical Director for Barbados The Barbados Football Association (BFA) has secured the services of Marcos Falopa as their newest Technical Director. The 65 year old Brazilian has over 35 years in professional coaching experience and is ready for his new assignment in Barbados. Speaking to members of the media during a Press Conference at the National Stadium, Falopa stated that he was very happy to be in Barbados. I want to help the football here but I need your help. Media is very important. Coaches are very important. Boys and girls playing football is very important. It is no different to Jamaican boys, no different to Trinidadian boys, no different to Brazilian boys or girls or the Europeans. They all play their football and have their difficulties, he said. 7 Cont d page 8
New Technical Director... contd Falopa, a former technical director with the continental governing body for North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), says he also intends to focus heavily on coaching and building Barbados football from the club level. Coaching at the club level is very important because they deal with players every day so they will have a much better idea about their development than even the national coach who works with the players occasionally, he stressed. Some of the best players come from communities all over the world and the same could be true of Barbados. After playing professional football in Brazil from 1964 to 1971, Falopa hung up his boots and has since taken on several tasks on the technical and coaching side of the game. Some of his assignments over the years include technical observation for eight FIFA World Cups, holding the post of Technical Director or Advisor of Head Coach of several teams including South Africa, East Bengal FC and Trinidad and Tobago. BFA President, Randy Harris, was also on hand and mentioning that some of Falopa s programmes over his tenure would include coaching courses, grassroots development programmes and community competitions. He went on to say that Falopa was expected to be a major boost to Barbados. We expect that he will help us with our vision for development of football in Barbados. He will be coaching the coaches and helping us with technical matters within the FA and also keeping an eye on all of our national selections in an effort to improve the all-round standard of football here in Barbados, Harris said. For further information please contact the CFU General Secretariat, Communications Department The Towers - 10th Floor 25 Dominica Drive, Kingston 5. Jamaica Tel: +1(876) 754-4411 / 4657 Fax: +1(876) 906-2973 Email: media@cfufootball.org, info@cfufootball.org 8