The Digicel Centre of Excellence has been credited with producing an exciting bunch of youngsters to ensure the future of football is bright. Photo: VINO/File

Marcus Butler Junior shows his skills against St Maarten, back in the Easter Tournament, which proved the Boys have talent. Photo: VINO/File

Lilly Pierce launches another attack in a previous encounter with the Girls from Laraza F.C. Photo: VINO/File

Jeffrey Demming, Gregory James, Cassandra Gregg and Thomas Albert are the Coaches in Charge. Photo: VINO/File

As Chairman of the 40th Anniversary Committee and BVIFA.1st Vice President, Mr. Aubrey Liburd explained, “The 40th Anniversary is finally here and after a lot of planning, the events, beginning with the Tortola Church service at 9:00 am and then moving onto the Sanctuary of Hope in Virgin Gorda at 10.30am, will provide excitement and entertainment for the entire Football Family as well as attract some new Fans to the game.”

The BVIFA will be hosting various events throughout the month of September 2014 to mark the milestone and each week has been given a focus, with the first week from September 1st to 7th earmarked to showcase and promote the youths.

Whilst the highlight of the Youth Week will undoubtedly be the Boys U14 and the Girls U15 games against Laraza F.C. from St Thomas, USVI, on Saturday September 6, 2014, there will also be trips to schools and a night at UP’s Cineplex to savor.

“The Youth Week will give another tremendous opportunity for the Boys and Girls to showcase their skills and comes on the back of the Girls putting up some fantastic performances in the recent CONCACAF Tournament hosted by the Cayman Islands” noted Alfred Reid, the BVIFA Ag. General Secretary.

Both squads are earmarked as the way forward for National Team development in terms of a long term plan with short term goals and apart from already showing great improvement in skill and tactical awareness are also proving that they are dedicated, willing to work hard to improve and put the BVI on the Football map.

As Liburd concluded, “We, the Committee, have put together a schedule of events to accommodate all who love Football; our Players, our supporters, our fans, both young and old, as well as our Sponsors. We hope everyone will enjoy the activities as we look forward to be able to live in safer, healthier and better communities in the Territory of the British Virgin Islands.”

The matches start on the A.O. Shirley Ground at 10.00 am with the Girls and then the Boys take centre stage at 11.30am.