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Haiti Crowned CFU U-20 Women’s Champions Haiti Women’s U-20 Captain Kensia Destinvil displays the winning trophy after her team dethroned Jamaica in the CFU Women’s U-20 Finals played in Haiti on October 23. (Photo courtesy FootKole) PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (October 23, 2015) The U-20 female footballers from Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are in preparation mode for the 2015 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship slated for Honduras from December 3-13 having finished at the top of the table in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women's Under 20 Finals. Hosts Haiti trumped defending champions Jamaica 2-0 when both sides met at the Estade Sylvio Cator in Haiti for the title match. Trinidad and Tobago, in the bronze medal encounter played earlier, defeated Puerto Rico in a penalty shootout 4-3, after both sides were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time. The battle for supremacy was a mostly one-sided affair in which the young Reggae Girlz battled and threatened to score, but the final pass would elude them the entire match. It was Haiti who would strike in the high-energy match in the 19th minute from Batcheba Louis, whose close-range conversion changed the momentum. Haiti dominated possession for the rest of the half and created many chances to double their lead, but Jamaica defended and maintained their organization to keep the score at 1-0 at halftime. The second half belonged to the Haitian women, who after a great build-up from the midfield saw captain Kensia Destinvil fire a left-foot shot into the top left corner, making it 2-0 for the hosts in the 61st minute. Jamaica’s Denisha Blackwood was red-carded in the 83rd minute for violent conduct, and Haiti, on the night, would prove the better team, holding the dethroned champs scoreless, for a 2-0 win. Before that, Trinidad and Tobago ended their match to decide third place deadlocked at 1-1, before the Soca Princesses claimed the coveted spot 4-3 in the penalty shootout. Celebration Time: The victorious Haitian Women’s U-20 team
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Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

Jan 01, 2017

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Page 1: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

JANUARY 2015, VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1, CARIBBEAN FOOTBALL UNION NEWSLETTER

3

4 Round one of FIFA

4 UWI

5

6 Islands

Cont’d page 2

Despite the absence of the Caribbean teams from

in Jamaica at the Montego

Kingston, CFU President Gordon

Derrick commends Caribbean teams for spirited performance

President Gordon Derrick

Haiti Crowned CFU U-20 Women’s Champions

Haiti Women’s U-20 Captain Kensia Destinvil displays the winning trophy after her team dethroned Jamaica in the CFU Women’s U-20 Finals played in Haiti on October 23. (Photo courtesy FootKole)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (October 23, 2015) – The U-20 female footballers from Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are in preparation mode for the 2015 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship slated for Honduras from December 3-13 having finished at the top of the table in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women's Under 20 Finals.

Hosts Haiti trumped defending champions Jamaica 2-0 when both sides met at the Estade Sylvio Cator in Haiti for the title match. Trinidad and Tobago, in the bronze medal encounter played earlier, defeated Puerto Rico in a penalty shootout 4-3, after both sides were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

The battle for supremacy was a mostly one-sided affair in which the young Reggae Girlz battled and threatened to score, but the final pass would elude them the entire match.

It was Haiti who would strike in the high-energy

match in the 19th minute from Batcheba Louis, whose close-range conversion changed the momentum.

Haiti dominated possession for the rest of the half and created many chances to double their lead, but Jamaica defended and maintained their organization to keep the score at 1-0 at halftime.

The second half belonged to the Haitian women, who after a great build-up from the midfield saw captain Kensia Destinvil fire a left-foot shot into the top left corner, making it 2-0 for the hosts in the 61st minute.

Jamaica’s Denisha Blackwood was red-carded in the 83rd minute for violent conduct, and Haiti, on the night, would prove the better team, holding the dethroned champs scoreless, for a 2-0 win.

Before that, Trinidad and Tobago ended their match to decide third place deadlocked at 1-1, before the Soca Princesses claimed the coveted spot 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

Celebration Time: The victorious Haitian Women’s U-20 team

Page 2: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

2Haiti Crowned CFU U-20 Women Champions...

CFU Women’s U-20 Finals at a glance OCTOBER 14

Bermuda Puerto Rico1 0Aaliyah Nolan 29”

OCTOBER 18

Haiti Bermuda8 0Kensia Destinvil 10”

Nerilla Mondesir 33”Nerilla Mondesir 38”

Roseline Eloissaint 44”Sabina Chandler 78”Nerilla Mondesir 81”

Roseline Eloissaint 85”Darline Radamaker 91”

OCTOBER 19

Curacao St. Vincent& The Grenadines1 0

Juvainy Keller 68”

OCTOBER 19

Trinidad & Tobago Jamaica2 2Celeste Thomas 64” Khadija Shaw 34”Chevonne John 76” Rena Gordon 39”

SEMI-FINALS OCTOBER 21

Jamaica Puerto Rico2 1Simone Wark 3” Alejandra Carrion 83”

Deneisha Blackwood 64”

FINALS - OCTOBER 23

Haiti Jamaica2 0Batcheba Louis 19”Kensia Destinvil 61”

FINALS OCTOBER 23

Trinidad & Tobago Puerto Rico1 1Chevonne John 24”

Regulation time (4-3 penalties in favour of Trinidad)Andriana Font 6”

SEMI-FINALS OCTOBER 21

Haiti Trinidad & Tobago2 0Sabine Chandler 35”Nerilla Mondesir 51”

OCTOBER 15

Jamaica St. Vincent& The Grenadines4 1

Khadija Shaw 15”(OG) Konya Plummer 29”

Khadija Shaw 46”Khadija Shaw 52”

Rasha Roberts 70”

OCTOBER 15

Trinidad & Tobago Curacao4 1Tsainne Leander 37”Tsainne Leander 48”

Maya Matouk 52”Khadija Shaw 52”

Kedie Johnson 53”

Ketsiah Wahr 2”

OCTOBER 17St. Vincent

& The Grenadines Trinidad & Tobago1 1Chrislyn Browne 32” Kelsey Henry 21”

OCTOBER 17

Jamaica Curacao2 0Deneisha Blackwood 51”Deneisha Blackwood 62”

OCTOBER 16

Haiti Puerto Rico0 3Mariana Lopez 24”Mirianee Zaragoza 78”Majorie Martinez 91”

It was Puerto Rico who went ahead first, in the 6th minute, when Andriana Font scored from the penalty spot.

Trinidad and Tobago equalized in the 24th minute and the encounter would go into penalties after extra time, from which Trinidad and Tobago emerged victorious.

CFU President Gordon Derrick congratulated the top three teams and wished them best as they advance to the CONCACF Championship. He also saluted the rest of the contenders – Bermuda, Curacao, Puerto Rico and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“All of the teams had spirited performances, and I am pleased to note the continued development at country level across the CFU,” Derrick said.

Page 3: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

Four Caribbean Football Union (CFU) teams will continue on the road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia when Round 4 of the preliminaries resumes on November 13. Jamaica, which will have the full strength of the 2015 Gold Cup team that finished an historic second, will be at home to Panama, at Independence Park at 9 pm local time. Haiti will travel to Costa Rica, for a match at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, starting at 8:06 pm. It will then be a CFU clash on November 17, when Haiti and Jamaica play in Haiti on November 17. Trinidad and Tobago will play an away game against Guatemala at Mateo Flores, at 7 pm and play the USA at home, at Hasely Crawford Stadium, on November 17. St. Vincent and the Grenadines travel to St. Louis to face the USA, at Busch Memorial at 6:10 pm on November 13. The Vincentians will then be at home against Guatemala on November 17.

3

Head Coach Senior Reggae Boyz Winfried Schaefer sits with Assistant Coach Miguel Coley in a planning meeting ahead of World Cup Qualifier, Jamaica vs Panama, Friday, November 13. Schaefer has a two-match ban that will force him out of the technical area for the game against Panama and the other qualifier on November 17 against Haiti in Port-au-Prince. (Photo courtesy Janice Rose-Brown)

Four CFU flags fly as 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers resume

2015 Caribbean Zone Women’sOlympic Qualifying • Match Schedule

PUERTO RICO - ESTADIO JUAN RAMON LOUBRIEL

DATE

August 21August 21August 23August 23August 25August 25

MATCH NO123456

TEAM A ArubaPuerto RicoHaitiPuerto RicoGrenadaPuerto Rico

TEAM B Haiti

GrenadaGrenada

ArubaAruba

Haiti

TIME5:00PM8:00PM4:00PM6:30PM5:00PM8:00PM

SCORE0 - 1 4

1 2 - 01 3 - 0

9 - 02 - 03 - 2

GROUP 1

Page 4: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

2015 Caribbean Zone Women’s Olympic Qualifying • Match Schedule...

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - ATO BOLDON STADIUM

DATE

November 13November 15

MATCH NO12

TEAM A St. LuciaTrinidad & Tobago

TIME6:00PM6:00PM

VSVS

TEAM B Trinidad & Tobago

St. Lucia

GROUP 2

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - ESTADIO PANAMERICANO SAN CRISTOBAL

DATE

August 21August 23August 25

MATCH NO123

TEAM A Dominican RepublicDominican RepublicDominica

TEAM BDominicaJamaicaJamaica

TIME4:30PM4:30PM4:30PM

SCORE1 1 - 0

0 - 60 - 1 3

GROUP 3

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - ESTADIO PANAMERICANO SAN CRISTOBAL

DATE

August 21August 23August 25

MATCH NO123

TEAM A St Kitts-NevisGuyanaSt Kitts-Nevis

TEAM BGuyana

CubaCuba

TIME2:00PM2:00PM2:00PM

SCORE0 - 81 - 10 - 6

GROUP 4

4

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - ATO BOLDON STADIUM

DATE

November 18November 18November 20November 20

MATCH NO1234

TEAM A Winner Group 1 - Puerto RicoWinner Group 2Loser Semi-Final 1Winner Semi-Final 1

TEAM BWinner Group 4 - Guyana

Winner Group 3 - JamaicaLoser Semi-Final 2

Winner Semi-Final 2

TIME5:00PM7:30PM5:00PM7:30PM

VSVSVSVS

FINAL ROUND

CFU TEAM #1

N/A N/A N/A

CFU TEAM #2 CFU TEAM #3

CFU TEAMS ADVANCING TO CONCACAF WOMEN’S OLYMPIC CHAMPIONSHIP 10-21 FEBRUARY 2016 (USA)

NB. In keeping with the Regulations, the CFU reserves the right to change the Fixtures, Groupings and Match Times to protect the integrity of the game, to promote and achieve Fair

Play, to ensure the safety of players, match officials, and spectators, and to facilitate the development of the game.

Page 5: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

CFU TEAM #1

GRENADA N/A N/A

CFU TEAM #2 CFU TEAM #3

CFU TEAMS ADVANCING TO CONCACAFWOMEN’S U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP 3-13 MARCH 2016 (GRENADA)

PUERTO RICO - ESTADIO JUAN RAMON LOUBRIELDATE MATCH NO TIME

4:30PM7:00PM4:30PM7:00PM4:30PM7:00PM

VSVSVSVSVSVS

GROUP B

November 14November 14November 16November 16November 18November 18

3478

1112

TEAM A Trinidad & TobagoHaitiDominican RepublicTrinidad & TobagoBarbadosHaiti

TEAM BDominican Republic

BarbadosHaiti

BarbadosDominican Republic

Trinidad & Tobago

5

2015 CFU Women’s U-17 Qualifier Match Schedule

TIME4:30PM7:30PM4:30PM7:30PM

FINAL ROUND - PUERTO RICO

MATCH NO

13141516

TEAM A Winner Group AWinner Group B

Loser Semi-Final 1Winner Semi-Final 1

TEAM BRunner Up Group BRunner Up Group ALoser Semi-Final 2

Winner Semi-Final 2

VSVSVSVS

SEMI-FINALS & FINAL

DATENovember 20November 20November 22November 22

PUERTO RICO - ESTADIO JUAN RAMON LOUBRIEL

DATE

November 13November 13November 15November 15November 17November 17

MATCH NO12569

10

TEAM A CubaPuerto RicoJamaicaPuerto RicoCubaPuerto Rico

TEAM B BermudaJamaica

BermudaCuba

JamaicaBermuda

TIME4:30PM7:30PM4:30PM7:00PM4:30PM7:30PM

VSVSVSVSVSVS

GROUP A

NB. In keeping with the Regulations, the CFU reserves the right to change the Fixtures, Groupings and Match Times to protect the integrity of the game, to promote and achieve Fair

Play, to ensure the safety of players, match officials, and spectators, and to facilitate the development of the game.

Page 6: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

All Systems Go for CFU Women’s U-17 Qualifiers

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Plans are in place for the final round of the Caribbean Football Union Women’s U-17 Qualifiers final round set for San Juan, Puerto Rico from November 13-22, CFU

Director of Competition Latoya DaCosta said.“Everything is progressing smoothly. From a

CFU standpoint, we have already received all required documentation from teams. Puerto Rico is also putting all the necessary last minute plans in place,” DaCosta said.

She noted that fans can expect, “a welcoming and friendly atmosphere at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, where competitive football from the Caribbean’s top eight teams will take center stage.”

Bermuda, Cuba, Jamaica and hosts Puerto Rico are in Group A, while Barbados, the Dominica Republic, Haiti and defending champions Trinidad and Tobago are in Group B.

The eight teams will enter a Knock-Out stage from which four teams will advance to the semifinals. The top two finalists will advance to the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship in 2016, which will be held in Grenada. Grenada automatically qualified for the competition.

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (October 29, 2015) – The CONCACAF U17 Women’s Championship Grenada 2016 official logo was unveiled to loud applause on Thursday, October 29, at the Radisson Grenada Grand Beach Resort.

The logo features the critically endangered Grenada dove as most prominent visual with accents of Grenada’s black gold: the nutmeg, the country’s lush vegetation, flora and fauna and the Grenada national flag, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

Grenada’s Minister for Sports Hon. Emmalin Pierre pulled the curtain for the big reveal. She called on stakeholders to view the logo as a symbol of motivation for the development of football in Grenada.

6

CONCACAF U-17 Women’s ChampionshipGrenada 2016 Official Logo Unveiled

Page 7: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship Grenada 2016 Official Logo Unveiled...

Minister Pierre told the gathering of FIFA, CONCACAF, Grenada Football Association (GFA) and other representatives, “My hope this morning is that the logo we are about to unveil will be a symbol of hope for football in Grenada that would encourage us to think about the potential that lies within the football association, within our country, within our young people.”

She also called on stakeholders to rally around the GFA in its quest to develop sport and host a world class event. “Get on board. Do something that could make a difference,” the minister challenged.

GFA Vice President Allan James expressed confidence in Grenada’s ability to stage the Championships in 2016, saying, “While we are challenged with limited resources to meet all expectations, we are confident of the support from government and the business community to put on a world class tournament.”

Grenada has already qualified for the tournament as host country, along with Canada and the United States, and Mr. James warned that Grenada would not be easy to beat.

“We have learnt of the possibilities that nations such as Canada and the USA may have also included in their line-up persons with Grenadian roots, but I wish to assure everyone here that Grenada will be no easy opponent,” he said.

CONCACAF Project Manager Ricardo Sarille said his organization is happy to partner with Grenada to stage the U17 Women’s Championship. He further noted that the logo is a collaborative effort between CONCACAF and the GFA.

Sharing the vision behind the logo, GFA Acting General Secretary Malaika Church said, “The Grenadian dove takes centre stage in the foreground, calmly resting on a dry branch. It is our hope that this Grenadian dove would mirror the performance of our female players in the competition.”

7

Page 8: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Technical Director Lenny Lake from St. Kitts and Nevis has been selected as the head coach for the Caribbean Football Union All Stars U-19 team that will contest the Copa Rayados slated for November 25 to 29 in San Antonio, Texas.

Lake will be ably assisted by Andrew Edwards, who is Head Coach of the Jamaica U-17 Men’s team, and Antigua and Barbuda’s Fernando Abraham, who is the Manager/Head of Delegation.

CFU Member Associations were invited to submit the names of three eligible players to be considered for selection by a technical team.

“Tournaments of this nature are beneficial for the region’s rising stars, which is why we are expending the effort and the resources to ensure that we are represented,” CFU General Secretary Neil Cochrane said.

The Copa Rayados is a tournament that will attract tertiary-level and pro scouts, as well as top-quality opponents from Mexico and Europe.

Information on the tournament is available at http://www.coparayados.com/

The team is being finalized, Cochrane said, and will be released as soon as it is complete.

8

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – First Division team Freeman's Ville blazed a path, at home and possibly in the region, with the recent appointment of former national player Akeilah "Granny" Hillhouse as head coach of the all-male team.

Hillhouse is not new to firsts, having been in the mix as schoolgirl, more than a decade ago, as a member of Premier Division outfit Sap, then making her the only woman on the team and in the league. That feat remains unmatched.

The Webber International University graduate who played football collegiately said she was not surprised by the job offer.

"When the ABFA (Antigua Barbuda Football Association) announced that all teams participating in the leagues need to have certified coaches, I knew that it was just a matter of time before someone would approach me," said Hillhouse, who holds a D license.

St. Kitts’ Lake to Coach CFU U-19 All Star Squad

Antiguan First Division Club makes history with female coach for men’s team

Page 9: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

Antiguan First Division Club makes history with female coach for men’s team...

Acting General Secretary of the Grenada Football Association Malaika Church, a participant in the FIFA Female Leadership Development Programme, is pictured here with her mentor, Sarai Bareman, Operations Manager of Oceania Football Confederation. (Photo courtesy Malaika Church)

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – Acting General Secretary of the Grenada Football Association (GFA) Malaika Church, who is among 35 women (seven of them from the Caribbean Football Union) taking part in the FIFA Female Leadership Development Programme, is already claiming increased confidence in her abilities.

Module II took place in Zurich, Switzerland at the end of September, and Church said the initiative has, at its core, self-examination.

“The initial programme is really teaching me about myself: the values I possess, my strengths and my weaknesses,” Church said.

The initiative aims to improve the gender balance in football decision-making positions and .

to nurture people who are working towards the development of women and girls’ football worldwide. The recent module sought to equip participants with the tools they need to rise through the ranks.

At the weeklong session, Church was able to identify and strengthen her leadership skills and examine ways she could work with stakeholders for the development of women’s football in Grenada.

She said the session also provided an opportunity for networking, individual coaching and the exchanging of ideas with mentors.

Each participant is tasked with developing a project based on improving the state of women’s football in their various member associations.

Church’s project is based on using the FIFA Fair Play codes to develop positive affirmations that will assist in changing the behavioural patterns of female players. These positive affirmations, which will be placed on paraphernalia, are aimed at fostering a greater feeling of self-worth among female players, she said.

9

So far, so good for the marriage, the player-turned-coach said.

"I did not want this appointment to be a camouflage in order to suit the requirements of the ABFA. I had to make sure that if I accepted the job the club, players and executive would understand that I am in control as the coach. So far, I have had the support of the club and I am pleased to be here,” Hillhouse said.

She recorded her first victory on November 4, 2-0, in an away game to Hill Top.

President of Freeman’s Ville Harrison “Jesse Fire” Benjamin said the only consideration in recruiting the former college player was respect for her ability."I have known her since School League and I was confident that she would have been able to bring the best out of the team," Benjamin said.

Spotlight on Grenada’s Malaika Church

Page 10: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

Spotlight on Grenada’s Malaika Church...

Church’s mentor is Sarai Bareman, who is the Operations Manager of Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). Bareman is also the only female member on the FIFA Reform Committee.

The GFA general secretary said Bareman showed her practical ways to address challenges and find solutions.

The FIFA Female Leadership Development Programme was launched in Vancouver during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. It is an initiative that identifies, supports and develops strong female leaders in football.

It is part of FIFA’s commitment to its ten key development principles for women’s football and .

follows on from the inaugural FIFA Women’s Football and Leadership Conference held in March 2015

The third and final workshop is set to take place in the first quarter of 2016.

The other participants from CFU are Mildred Wever, Aruba; Gwendolyn Salmon, Antigua and Barbuda; Shequita Parson, Bermuda; Ana Maria Rabel Fuentes, Puerto Rico; Lyndell Hoyte-Sanchez, Trinidad and Tobago; and Chantel Bird, USVI. Sonia Bien Aime, President of the Turks and Caicos Football Association, CONCACAF and FIFA Executive Committee member, is one of the mentors.

By Ria Murray, GFA Media Officer

DENVER, Colorado – Caribbean Football Union (CFU) President Gordon Derrick urged unity among the 31 Member Associations during a General Meeting on October 6 in Denver, Colorado.

The meeting, which was held in the margins of the US Soccer Best Practices Symposium, sought to update the membership on a myriad of issues, including apparent fragmentation amidst the turmoil in global football.

In a speech that had as its theme “Lest we Forget”, Derrick acknowledged that two regional footballer administrators have been indicted in the US Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation, but said this is no reason for the CFU to cower or kowtow to any other organization within the football fraternity.

“There is but a perception of a crisis as far as CFU is concerned. What we have is a football union that has made clear and inarguable progress,” Derrick said.

He referenced moves to have several individuals from the CFU contest the CONCACAF presidency, an election that is, to date, anticipated for next May. Drawing historical parallels, such as the failed West Indies Federation and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Derrick asked his membership to be guided by the past. .

“We must be cognizant always of how outside interests play the classic divide-and-rule card in the administration of football. The emissaries are coming with offers of bread and shiny things for individuals that aim to break down the union and pit CFU Member Association against CFU Member Association. And while we fight amongst ourselves, we clear a path for them to ascend and for us to remain in the margins,” Derrick added.

He mused that CFU’s strength lies not simply in the number of members. “Our strength lies in our unity,” the CFU president said.

Derrick then highlighted the accomplishments of the CFU Executive Committee under his leadership including reforms in the wake of the cash-for-votes scandal; rebuilding in the complete absence of records upon taking office in 2012; the introduction of the Women’s Caribbean Cup; the successful planning and execution of the respective competitions; the introduction of the Boys’ U15 Caribbean Cup this August; the advent of the MLS Combine in the region; and exemplary corporate governance as evidenced by reports and audited financial statements.

10

‘Strength in Unity’ CFU President reminds Member Associations

Page 11: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

New CFU General Secretary formally introduced

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – New Caribbean Football Union General Secretary Neil Cochrane was formally introduced to the member associations during a general meeting held in Denver on October 6.

Cochrane, who officially took up the post in September, pledged to work with the respective associations to advance the aims and objectives of the CFU.

“The areas within the CFU that are working well, I see it as my duty to main the status quo; for the areas that needs shoring up – things like communication amongst the members, strengthening the camaraderie, marketing and revenue generation, and other administrative functions – I will work with the ExCo and the rest of the CFU team to ensure that we bolster these areas,” Cochrane told The Beacon.

“I am proud to join this venerable organization, and will work to ensure that the region continues to make inroads in the development of football, from the players to the administrators,” he added.A myriad of issues have occupied the general secretary’s attention in the short weeks since he has been on the job, including reviewing the broadcast rights agreement between the CFU, on behalf of the member associations, and Traffic Sports (USA) Inc., upcoming competitions, and reaching out to the membership, Cochrane said.

He comes to the CFU position with a wealth of management experience having spent 13 years at Kennedy’s Club Limited, a premier beverage company in Antigua and Barbuda, as the marketing manager and part of the overall management structure. A past chairman of the Carnival Development Committee which oversaw the annual summer festival, Cochrane is also the president of the Antigua Turf Club.

Cochrane takes over the CFU general secretary position from Damien Hughes, whose tenure began in 2012 and who requested to leave as he had come into the position: without fanfare.

CFU President Gordon Derrick nonetheless thanked Hughes for what he called his sterling contribution to football.

“We are grateful for his leadership, at the level of his association in Anguilla and at the CFU level. I wish him well in his endeavours while at the same time welcoming Neil, who I am confident will ensure that his experience and expertise redound to the benefit of the CFU,” Derrick said.

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Page 12: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Organizers in Antigua and Barbuda say they have seen passion, participation, development and enjoyment over the course of the seven-week Antigua and Barbuda Football Association-sanctioned Youth Futsal League, which is nearing completion.

One dozen teams representing 11 clubs went into the hunt for bragging rights for the league which began on September 25 and will conclude on November 7. The initiative is also powered by local youth football club Generation Next FC whose chief executive officer is Richard Santos. Santos was, earlier this year, appointed Chairman for the Committee for Futsal and Beach Football by the ABFA.

“Anyone who has been to the games can attest to the passion that these young players bring. We’ve seen teams mature over the weeks in terms of how they play as units. We’ve seen determination, improvement in skill, inclusion, and we’ve also seen increasing camaraderie, not just among teammates, but among all of the teams. It cannot be gainsaid that this was a beneficial exercise that we will certainly continue,” said Santos.

The league built on itinerant community tournaments played across Antigua in the last year.

There are five divisions – U7, U9, U11, U13 and U16 – for the initiative being held at the YMCA Volleyball Arena.

In addition to title sponsors Cool and Smooth, other sponsors are Antigua Masonry Products, Skinique Rejuvenation and Weight Loss Center and benefactor The Maria Holder Memorial Trust Fund.

ABFA President Everton Gonsalves, meanwhile, reiterated the ABFA’s commitment to development of football in all of its forms, as well as the players across the twin-island state.

“Fustal is a fast-growing sport across the globe. There are numerous tournaments and there is the increasing prestige associated with this form of the game. On the most basic level, it is a proven way to develop skills, and because it is economic, we see participation across communities, on the basketball courts and open spaces, in self- or community-organized games. The ABFA, with involvement in this initiative, is walking the talk insofar as our overarching mandate of development is concerned,” Gonsalves said.

Participating teams are Big Dan Click FC; Five Islands; GNFC A and GNFC 1; Ghetto All Stars; New Generation FC; Trinity FC; Tamo FC; Unruly Boss FC; Villa Lions FC; Willikies FC; and Young Warriors FC.

Antigua Barbuda Football Association Kicks off Youth Futsal League

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Page 13: Volume 3,Issue 8, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

13

Our Partners

CFU Member Associations

For further information please contact the CFU General Secretariat,Communications Department

The Towers - 10th Floor • 25 Dominica Drive, Kingston 5. JamaicaEmail: [email protected], [email protected]

Tel: +1(876) 754-4411 / 4657 • Fax: +1(876) 906-2973