Volume 3,Issue 1, Caribbean Football Union Newsletter

JANUARY 2015, VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1, CARIBBEAN FOOTBALL UNION NEWSLETTER
ARTICLES
3 Webb opens USVI first FIFA Goal Project
4 Round one of FIFA World Cup CONCACAF game starts in March
4 Barbados Football Association signs with UWI
5 Some facts about CFU U-20 Men teams
6 Zackary Scott: Football Star in the Cayman Islands
Derrick commends Caribbean
teams for spirited performance
D
espite the absence of the
Caribbean teams from
the final four teams in the
CONCACAF Under-20 Football
Championship recently held
in Jamaica at the Montego
Bay Sports Centre in St James
and the National Stadium in
Kingston, CFU President Gordon
Derrick is proud of the effort.
The five Caribbean teams were
President Gordon Derrick
Aruba, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica
and Trinidad & Tobago while the other teams were El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, USA,
Panama, Canada and Guatemala from the CONCACAF region.
“We came into the tournament knowing what we were up against and despite not
achieving the desired results; we held our own for large parts of the games against our
more accomplished neighbors.
“What we can take from this experience is a self-actualization of where we are, where we
have to be and where we want to be. I am confident our day in the sun is just around the
corner, said Derrick.
After the staging of thirty three games, four national teams were separated from the
twelve nations as contestants for the FIFA World Cup Under -20 finals set for May 30 to
June 20 in New Zealand.
At the end of the preliminary stages Trinidad & Tobago gained four points with a draw and
a win, Cuba earned a similar figure with a draw and a win after a wobbly start. Haiti did
well holding off their opponents to gain three points from three draws which included the
Champions Mexico who scored first on Haiti.
Cont’d page 2
Spirited Performance......cont’d
However, the Haitians did not lie down dead and gave the
Mexican a good fight scoring an historic equalizer to end that
game 1-1while taking several shots at goal only to be stopped
by the skillful actions of the Mexican custodian and an alert
defense line.
“We also have to praise the administrators of this tournament.
From the start to the end of this competition they
demonstrated remarkable football action in the scheduled
triple headers.There were no major serious incidents and
this shows that professionalism in all aspects such as
communication, organization, punctuality and coordination,”
said the President.
Host Jamaica started off with a draw but failed to earn a win
only to finish the tournament with two points after a draw with
debutants Aruba who made history by scoring their first goal
against Trinidad & Tobago at the CONCACAF level and earning
a point as well after playing to a stalemate with Jamaica.
Aruba has come a long way and what was obvious is the
significant improvement displayed by the Arubans in every
other game that they played while approaching the end of the
competition.
CONCACAF introduced a new event format specifically for
this championship in order to enhance the development of
the competition and to increase the number of guaranteed
games for each participant to five, up from two in the previous
editions.
Aruba debutants in the 2015 CONCACAF
U-20 Men’s Championship
Cuba team CONCACAF U20 Men’s
Championship 2015
Jamaica U20 team CONCACAF Championship 2015
Haiti Team CONCACAF U 20 Men’s Championship 2015
Trinidad & Tobago U20 team CONCACAF Championship 2015
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Webb opens USVI first
FIFA Goal Project
F
IFA Vice President and President of CONCACAF Jeffrey
Webb officially opened the US Virgin Islands Soccer
Federation (USVISF) first ever Goal Project on Sunday, January
17, in St Croix marking a significant milestone for the football
federation.
Webb in his main address to the gathering said, “The
completion and opening of the new Administrative
Headquarters for the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation will
certainly provide further development opportunities for the
islands. The Federation’s strategic plans aligns with our vision
for development and growth and I look forward to seeing the
continued advancement of football in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
“Under the leadership of USVISF President Hillaren
Frederick, our sport has grown tremendously in the areas
of administration and development, focusing on improving
technical and governance aspects,” Webb added.
Webb and Frederick at the opening of the USVI FIFA Goal Project
Frederick in his response thanked the CONCACAF President
for his visit and echoed the importance of completing the
project’s first phase.
“I would like to thank the FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF
President Mr. Webb for opening the US Virgin Islands first FIFA
Goal Project. This new administration building will definitely
help to build and grow soccer in the USVI as we implement
and keep up with FIFA and CONCACAF long term plans in
developing the sport in all countries around the world.
Webb cuts ribon at opening of the USVI FIFA Goal Project
“Phase two of our infrastructure development plan will be the
construction of a natural turf playing field and Technical Centre.
Having a solid base for their daily operations is the first step in
the long term strategic vision and plans for the Federation,”
said Frederick. “I convey my appreciation to CONCACAF and
FIFA for their support, and look forward to building on this
foundation to raise the profile of football in the USVI.”
For the duration of his two-day visit, Webb attended a Boys
and Girls Grassroots Festival at the new headquarters and in
addition met with Government officials and several members
of the USVISF. He also congratulated them on harvesting a
high level of support for football on all the islands.
The USVISF has also started the initial planning stage of its
second FIFA Goal Project, a Technical Centre to be specific,
which is expected to be completed within a year.
Webb and Frederick with group at the FIFA Goal Project opening
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Round one of FIFA World Cup
CONCACAF game starts in March
T
he dates have been set for Round One of the FIFA World Cup
‘Road to Russia 2018 CONCACAF Qualifying’ competition.
From March 23-31, fourteen nations from the CONCACAF
region will enter the fray, seeking a berth in the second round
of the contest in a home-and-away qualifying format.
The schedules are as follows, with home teams listed first and
slated to host the opening leg of games.
TEAM 1
Bahamas
vs
vs
TEAM 2
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands Barbados Turks and Caicos Islands Nicaragua Belize Curaçao
vs
vs
vs
vs
vs
vs
Dominica
U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Anguilla
Cayman Islands
Montserrat
Match 8: St. Vincent & the Grenadines versus Guyana
Match 9: Antigua & Barbuda versus St. Lucia
Match 10: Puerto Rico versus Grenada
Match 11: Canada versus Winner Match #2
Match 12: Dominican Republic versus Winner Match #6
Match 13: Guatemala versus Winner Match #1
Match 14: Aruba versus Winner Match #3
Match 15: Winner Match #4 versus El Salvador
Match 16: Winner Match #7 versus Cuba
Match 17: Winner Match #5 versus Suriname
The Senior Men’s World Cup is FIFA’s flagship event and
was first held in 1930. Since then, it has been hosted on a
quadrennial basis by different countries. The tournament had
its genesis when the then FIFA president Jules Rimet decided
to stage an international football tournament.
The inaugural edition, was staged in Uruguay and was
contested as a final tournament with thirteen teams invited
by the organization to compete in the showpiece event. The
current champions are Germany, who lifted the prestigious
silverware at the last staging held in Brazil between June and
July, 2014.
Round Two is scheduled to be played from June 8-16, 2015, and
will pit the seven winners from the first round, along with the
thirteen additional teams which were drawn into the following
ten pairings:
Barbados Football
Association signs
MoU with UWI
T
he Barbados Football Association (BFA) made a historic
move in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with
the University of the West Indies (UWI) on Tuesday, January
20, at the First Caribbean Suite B, Solutions Centre, of the
UWI Cave Hill Campus, Barbados.
President of the BFA Randy Harris, Pro Vice Chancellor Hillary Beckles and
Head of Coaches at the UWI Rowland Butcher at the MoU signing
President of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Gordon
Derrick, lauded the MOU and commented that it was in the
vein of which he would like to see other regional associations
form linkages.
President of the BFA Randy Harris signed the documents in the
presence of Sir Hilary Beckles, Professor and Vice Chancellor of
the UWI; Amanda Reifer, Head of the Academy of Sports Cave
Hill, and Roland Butcher, Head of Coaches in the Academy of
Sports.
“When I came to office one of the main areas I stressed was
synergies and partnerships with those who can help us elevate
football on a physical level as well as intellectually; and here
today is testament of what I envisioned,” said Derrick.
“This initiative is expected to be a long term mutual partnership
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Cont’d page 5
Barbados MoU......cont’d
“The University of the West Indies sees it as part of its long term
strategic plan to be the sporting university of the Caribbean.
We are building an institution of learning to give respect for
the science and art of sports, Beckles stated.”
for developing football in Barbados. This agreement speaks to
hosting of workshops and conferences, FIFA certified coaching
courses, staging of tournaments at the Usain Bolt Sporting
Complex, access to our sports labs in biomechanics and
exercise physiology for testing and research,” stated Reifer.”
The UWI Blackbirds which is affiliated to UWI will be competing
in the Barbados top flight for the first time this year and the
BFA has been making major strides in the reorganization of its
administration and the development of football.
Sir Hilary Beckles who was more than elated to sign the
MoU with the Barbados Football Association for a number of
reasons had this to say, “The BFA is deserving of the resources
from the universities, I hope that the University can lift the
standard of football in Barbados because for a long time we are
unable to sustain what we achieve in sports, though we have
produced some of the best sports men and women per capita
out of all of the regions in the world. Moreover, the University
facilities will be used for tournaments, training, education,
policy, community and citizenship programs.”
Most recently, UWI hosted a regional certification course for
coaches and two friendly matches for the senior women’s
national team.
Harris welcomed the union between the BFA and the University
and pointed out that the MOU would allow for Barbados’
national teams to use the University of the West Indies facility
for international games and Premier League fixtures.
Some facts about
CFU U-20 Men teams
A
core of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Member
Association teams have consistently competed in the
CONCACAF U-20 World Cup Qualifiers since 1962.
Cuba made it to the U-20 World Cup once and that was
in 2013 and were placed fourth. This year, 2015 is their
12th appearance at a CONCACAF Championship and their
best finish was 2nd in 1970 and 1974. In 1973 they were placed
3rd and in 1986, 1988 and 2013 they were placed 4th.
Aruba has never qualified for the U-20 FIFA World Cup. As
debutants of the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship
the team scored one goal against Trinidad and Tobago and
earned a point by playing to a stalemate with seasoned team
Jamaica. They came 4th in the CFU U-20 Qualifiers to reach
this CONCACAF Stage. Haiti have never qualified for the U-20 FIFA World Cup. 2015
was their 7th appearance at a CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
Their best finish was a Second Round appearance in 1978 and
their historic 1-1 draw with Champions Mexico in 2015, at the
Montego Bay Sports Complex, in St James, Jamaica.
The CONCACAF Under-20 Championship is the second longest
running international Football Association event in the North
America, Central America and the Caribbean region. It is the
qualification tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Jamaica have been to the U-20 FIFA World Cup once in
2001. 2015 is their 19th appearance at a CONCACAF U-20
Championship and their best finish was second in 2001 and
third in 1970.
The format of the tournament has undergone changes over
the years. In 2015, the competition changed its format to the
two group winners securing a place in the final and the groups’
second and third placed teams competed in a play-off to
determine the other two qualifiers for the U-20 World Cup. The
number of preliminary games played per team was increased
from 2 to 5 and the semi-final stage was removed.
Trinidad and Tobago have been to the U-20 World Cup twice in
1991 and 2009. This was their 15th appearance at a CONCACAF
U-20 Championship and their best finish was second in 1990,
3rd in 1974 and 1986 and 4th in 2009 when they were the hosts
of the tournament.
5
Zackary Scott:
Football Star in the
Cayman Islands
S
ixteen-year-old Caymanian football star Zachary Ismeal
Scott was born in George Town, Cayman Islands, and has
been playing the game since he was just four years old.
Scott is a graduate of the St. Ignatius Catholic School which
he attended from kindergarten until 2014 when he graduated.
He is the recipient of many special awards, such as successive
Player of Year in the Cayman Islands Football Association
(CIFA) U-15 FA Cup.
Zackary Scott Caymanian Football star
Scott’s two older brothers and his dad also played football. His
father grew up in Jamaica and played for Calabar High School.
“I have had a number of coaches who have helped me develop
my skills such as Coach Paolo Polloni, who was my first football
coach. He taught me how to think about the game. Coach
Renard Moxam and Coach Glenn Whewell also played their
part by pushing me to do better and demanded a lot of quality
from me,” he explained.
He was also voted Most Valuable player at the CIFA U-17
awards; the Golden Boot Award in the CIFA U 17 League; was a
member of the Academy Sports Club team when they won the
league in 2012, 2013 and in 2014, and was Man of the Match
in the CONCACAF U15 Boys Championship Tournament when
the Cayman Islands played against The Bahamas.
“However, there is one coach who has helped me so much
to the point that I wouldn’t be the player I am today without
him, Coach Virgil Seymour. He has helped me to gain a lot of
football experiences which are vital to my development.
The right-footed striker has also donned the colours of the
Cayman Islands National team and the Academy Sports Club
from 2009 at the age of eleven, and still does so.
In an interview with the CFU BEACON,
Scott said: “I started playing football
at age four in kindergarten as an afterschool extra-curricular activity. My
brother, who is 18 months older than
me, was taking part in the Primary
School football team. He and my mom
influenced me to start playing and from
there I loved it and started playing
the game. Coach Renard saw how
much energy I had and allowed me to
participate on my older brother’s team.”
Scott is a utility player,
but his primary position
is central attacking
midfield.
“He is a role model and a great teacher.
He has helped me to travel all over
the world where I have experienced
many footballing styles and got the
structured environment I needed.”
Scott asserted that “Through Coach
Virgil I also had the chance to work
with people that have been involved
in the game professionally, such as
coaches from Watford and Ipswich
and competed against professional
clubs in England. Coach Virgil has also brought coaches to
Cayman such as Coach George Davis from England, Coach Roy
Wilhelm from the Netherlands who has given me the insight
into how professionals train. Wilhelm invited me to Holland
when I was thirteen years old where I played with the Willem
11 team in Tilburg in Netherlands.”
According to the talented youngster: “I was coached by
Renard Moxam, Virgil Seymour and Paolo Polloni throughout
my primary school years. They all taught me a lot and made
the game a lot of fun during my development.”
After choosing football over baseball, Scott, for a brief stint,
had the privilege of being guided by the legendary Coach
Winston, who taught him some of the finer techniques of the
game and told him inspirational stories of his life and football.
Scott is a utility player, but his primary position is central
attacking midfield. He can also play as a central defence
midfielder, on the wing as well as as a striker. He is presently
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Cont’d page 7
Zackary Scott......cont’d
attending Merrist Wood College in England where he is doing
Sports in ‘A’ Level to pursue a career in the sports industry.
country in the CONCACAF U15 Boys Tournament which was
held in the Cayman Islands 2013. The feeling of representing
your country with the support of my Caymanian people at
home was such an honour and extraordinary feeling.”
At the tender age of sixteen, this Cayman national player
has definitely carved out a niche in the football arena, having
played in the CIFA League and Cup competitions from U13 to
U17. In February 2012 he competed in the West Bay Sports
Foundation Tournament versus England Swindon Town FC
Youth Academy.
“I most definitely will never forget participating in the Digicel
Kick Start Competition. Here I proved that hard work pays off.
I worked hard and was placed in the top 3 spots. This resulted
in my privilege to be coached by the Chelsea FC coaches. I was
thrilled and honoured to have been contacted by the Chelsea
FC coaches to come to England. This experience has helped
me gain a spot at the Chelsea FC Foundation team to study my
‘A’ levels in England.”
In October 2012 Scott played in the West Bay Sports
Foundation Tournament against Club Social and Deportivo CD
Vida from Honduras. In November of that same year he played
for Academy Sports Club in a friendly match against Harbour
View FC of Jamaica.
In February 2013, he played in the West
Bay Sports Foundation Tournament
versus England’s Swindon Town FC
Youth Academy, and in July of that same
year he was a part of the CIFA U15 team
which tackled Club Deportivo Victoria of
Honduras in a friendly fixture.
“The biggest challenge I’ve ever had during my football career
was when I was training with Ipswich
Town FC and played in a tournament
at Tottenham’s training ground against
Tottenham, Chelsea and Aston Villa’s
U-18. The players that took part in this
tournament played at a very high level
and it was a big challenge. It was a big
learning experience for me to play
against some of the best young players
in the world”.
August 2013 in the Prestigious
CONCACAF U15 Boys Championship
Tournament. Feb 2014 C3 Cayman
International
Youth
Football
Tournament versus England Swindon
Town FC Youth Academy and Houston
Dynamo Youth Academy from USA. In
2014, he was the captain for the U17
Cayman Islands National Team in the
Under 17 Caribbean Football Union
World Cup Qualifier which was staged in
Jamaica
“I am a fan of Manchester United but
would love to play for Chelsea. My dream
is to make it professional in England but
I would be grateful to make it in any
country if the opportunity arises.”
Scott when asked how Football has
affected his life said,” Football has
affected my life in a positive way. It
has taught me many qualities such as:
dedication, determination, leadership, teamwork, desire and
attitude. The game has helped me to keep out of trouble and
to respect the Academy’s motto “with the books and the balls
you have it all.” Every Saturday morning I give back to my
community by helping to coach younger kids from 5-8 years
old as well as Autistic kids assisting them to learn social skills
through playing football and interacting with other kids.”
Scott said that he liked to watch Isco Coutinho, Thiago
Alcantre, Oscar dos Santos and Alex Chamberlin as well as
local talents such as Jedd Ebanks and Matthew Suberan.
He continued to point out that he had some bad experiences
and disappointments in the game which he has turned into
positive lessons. He has expressed how he learnt how to
accept constructive criticism to become a better player by
working harder and to keep smiling while believing and having
faith in God’s timing.
“Through football I have travelled all over the world and learnt
many other cultures while interacting with other nationalities.
These are experiences I could have never experienced without
football. I have learnt life lessons such as doing my best at all
times, how to be a leader and how to work as a team. Without
football I would not be the person I am today.”
“I have been blessed to have had many wonderful experiences
and hold each one dear to my heart. The most memorable
experience I have had as a footballer is representing my
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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
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