BDO & LIME School Leagues marching forward!
A cascade of brightly uniformed teams participated in the march which also celebrated not only an enormous increase in participation from 770 registered players in 2013 to just under 1000 in 2014, but also the first time Anegada Schools entered their own teams (they featured as combined in 2013) and the first taste of what the new BVIFA Technical Director, Mr. Keith “Grell” Griffith, can expect as he oversees his first Youth league season since taking up the post four months ago.
Once the roads had been navigated, the children, their coaches, principles and teachers along with family and friends heard from BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, who once again stood in amazement as he saw the amassed contingent of both Boys and Girls.
“The parade has got bigger and bigger year by year” he noted “the BVIFA is very pleased and the children look absolutely fabulous in their uniforms. It’s always good from our point of view to put on things like this that is a way of thanking the sponsors and gives them a lot of exposure. A project of this magnitude wouldn’t happen without the support from BDO, LIME and Cable TV, who will be televising some of the games.
Griffith, who is known as “Grell”, was equally as impressed and compared the event to anything he had seen around the World.
“Obviously the bigger countries have more schools, more children, but, today, to see the kids in their bright uniforms is very impressive, they look resplendent and were all very disciplined. The parade, the children, the parents were all excellent and if the players can step up it should be a very good season,” said Griffith.
To that note “Grell” also explained that as the matches unfold across both the Primary and High School Leagues he will be watching to see passing and movement as well as good organisation from the Coaches.
“A lot of passing and a lot of organisation from the Coaches is going to be very important. Having played for Barbados and coached in a number of countries the one problem the BVI has at the moment is keeping possession. I will be emphasising to the Coaches not to worry about winning, but focus on passing and moving, have a pattern and shape.”
Also on hand at the ceremony were the Minister responsible for sport, the Honourable Myron V. Walwyn and the Honourable Delores Christopher.
“Teamwork is very important” commented Walwyn. “You can’t score a goal by yourself.”
Walwyn also reinforced the good work that football was doing in the community and encouraged all the children to work hard, encourage each other and live a healthy lifestyle.
Mrs. Christopher pointed out that Football was on the move upwards and how wonderful it was to see the wonderful, vibrant coloured uniforms worn by the youths from across the Territory.
“It’s a wonderful programme as well,” she noted. “For years it just seemed to be Basketball, Softball/Baseball, Cricket and Volleyball, but now we can add Football to the list and say it is a sport growing in leaps and bounds.”
Bickerton concluded proceedings by confirming the Leagues would start next week and that for 2014, in the Primary School League, there would be a new format.
“Our closing day will be much more exciting this year because the leagues will not be decided, but as we have two groups in age group we will have the winners from each group in each age group playing each other to determine the winners,” said Bickerton.
Additionally for the youngsters this season will be the added chance of being selected to the Under 13 National team that will be going to St Maarten at Easter to compete against 12 other Countries.
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